The driver whose out-of-control SUV crashed into a concrete pillar in Queens and killed five passengers — including two kids — is insisting to police that her brakes failed, sources said.
Oby Okoro, 46, allegedly blew through two red lights on Atlantic Avenue and was speeding at 85 mph after attending a convention for Nigerian immigrants when the accident happened Sunday morning.
Her 2008 Mercedes-Benz SUV was totalled when it struck a stanchion — and investigators are unsure if they will be able to verify her claim, sources said.
Officials do not believe alcohol was a factor, sources said. She hasn’t been cited with any traffic violations.
“We had a tragedy. I lost five people,” said a woman at Okoro’s Bronx home who declined to be identified .
Okoro remained in intensive care at Jamaica Hospital.
Munachismo Obioha, an 8-year-old girl and Ebube Obafor-Mba, a 9-year-old boy, were killed.
The three adults who died were Gladys Nnena Johnson Obioha, 60,, head of a group that supports education in Nigeria; Chiwe McDonald, 45; and Christine Epchon.
Kingsley Maduka, 26 and Cjidechukwu Obioha, a 7-year-old boy, are recovering.
All of the victims were related.