An 18-year-old woman was killed and at least 22 people injured when an out of control car plowed into pedestrians in Manhattan’s iconic Times Square, city officials said.
According to the New York Post, the teenager killed was named as Alyssa Elsman from Portage. Her 13-year-old sister was among the injured.
The speeding car is believed to have mounted the footpath and barrelled into pedestrians for three blocks before crashing with two of its wheels in the air.
The driver of the vehicle — Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx — was taken into custody shortly after the incident and is scheduled to undergo testing for the presence of drugs or alcohol in his system, Assistant Chief William Aubry said.
Rojas, a Navy veteran, has been arrested at least twice previously for driving while intoxicated and was recently arrested for menacing, officials said.
WATCH: The 18-year-old was reportedly visiting the city with her family when tragedy hit. Post continues…
The New York Police Department is not treating the incident as terror-related.
“Based on information we have at this moment, there is no indication that this was an act of terrorism,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters at a news conference in Times Square. “We all feel deeply right now for those who were injured and for their families.”
Shaken witnesses have described a scene of chaos and destruction in the usually bustingly area.
“There were a lot of people out, enjoying the good day, and then I heard screaming and the car running over bodies,” said Harlem resident Tyezhane. “I didn’t know what was going on. At first, I thought someone was intentionally doing it. I was scared for my life.”
“It was going at a fast rate of speed and to me it looked like it was trying to hit as many people as possible,” another witness, Annie Donahey, said. “People were trying to jump out of the way.”
More as we get it.
