Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
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Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities originally said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
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The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantaneously release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even witnessed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We begin running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC – s Times Square, Killing at Least one – NBC News
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
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Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities originally said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
- Embed
The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantly release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even eyed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We begin running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC – s Times Square, Killing at Least one – NBC News
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
- Share
- Share
- Tweet
Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities originally said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
- Embed
The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantaneously release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even eyed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We commence running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC – s Times Square, Killing at Least one – NBC News
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
- Share
- Share
- Tweet
Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities primarily said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
- Embed
The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantly release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even witnessed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We embark running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC – s Times Square, Killing at Least one – NBC News
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
- Share
- Share
- Tweet
Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities originally said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
- Embed
The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantly release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even witnessed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We begin running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC – s Times Square, Killing at Least one – NBC News
Car Rams Into Pedestrians in NYC ‘s Times Square, Killing at Least 1
by Tom Winter , Jonathan Dienst and Erik Ortiz
- Share
- Share
- Tweet
Fresh YORK — A wrong-way driver plowed into pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan’s bustling Times Square district minutes before noon Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring almost two dozen others, city officials said.
The high-speed 11:55 a.m. crash — which authorities originally said appeared accidental, and which is not believed related to international terrorism — left an 18-year-old woman dead at the scene and another twenty two people injured, officials said.
The driver of the two thousand nine Honda Accord, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was in custody and was charged late Thursday with second-degree murder, twenty counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
- Embed
The Bronx native has a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as other infractions. Rojas was arrested for DWI twice before, police said.
Officials did not instantly release the cause of the crash. Two law enforcement sources say Rojas claims he heard voices and investigators are looking into the possibility it was a deliberate act.
“I was in shock, I was screaming,” witness Kristen Boyce told NBC Fresh York. “No one even eyed it coming.”
“All of a unexpected I heard this boom and a car is barreling down Seventh Avenue hitting people, just, ‘Boom! Boom!’ And everyone just starts running,” she said. “We embark running, we don’t know if another one is going to come, we don’t know what’s happening, everyone is panicking.”
Police said an officer tackled Rojas at the scene after he climbed out of the car, which could be seen partially lifted off the ground. The suspect was being tested for possible drug or alcohol intoxication.
Fire and emergency crews surrounded the chaotic crash site in Times Square, which is typically swamped by tourists and office workers. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on the sidewalk for about three blocks before the crash occurred, police and witnesses said.
The Honda very first mounted the sidewalk at 7th Avenue and W. 42nd Street, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. It stopped when it struck a metal stanchion.
“The vehicle, occupied by a masculine driver, proceeded to drive at a high rate of speed along the sidewalk, from 42nd Street to 45th Street, striking a number of pedestrians along the way,” O’Neill said.
The person who was killed was identified by police as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman of Portage, Michigan. The deceased victim’s 13-year-old sister was among the injured and was taken to the hospital, police said.
The driver “accelerated across at an angle, went up on the curb and hit that entire group of people waiting,” witness Julie Fallo, 47, of Fresh Jersey, told NBC News.
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