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A driver plowed into a crowd in Fresh York’s Times Square midday Thursday, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring twenty two others, police said.
The motorist, a Navy veteran, attempted to flee the scene, according to police, but was tackled by a traffic agent.
There is no indication of terrorism based on information at this time, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police said the driver is in custody and this is believed to be an isolated incident.
A witness told ABC station WABC the scene was total "chaos" and "everybody was attempting to help."
The car, a two thousand nine Honda Accord, struck twenty three pedestrians, killing Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, law enforcement sources and city officials said. Elsman graduated from Portage Central High School in 2016, her former principal said.
"Alyssa was the type of person who seemed very timid and reserved when you very first met her, but once you embarked talking to her you realized she was clever, funny and engaging," principal Eric Alburtus said in a statement. "She will be deeply missed by the staff and students here."
The statement said the school will have distress counselors available on Friday "to help any students and staff who need support in processing this loss."
Portage Central High School
Police said twenty two people were taken to nearby hospitals, including the 13-year-old sister of the deceased victim. Officials said four people are in critical condition, three others suffered serious injuries and the other fifteen people have less serious injuries.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The driver was identified by police as Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx. At 11:55 a.m. he was driving south on 7th Avenue when he made a quick U-turn onto a sidewalk at 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk for three-and-a-half blocks, striking numerous pedestrians until crashing at 45th Street, according to law enforcement.
After Rojas crashed, he fled the car but was detained by police and civilians, police said. He allegedly punched a police officer as they took him into custody, sources said.
The car appeared to catch fire after crashing.
Witness Annie Donahey told ABC News, "I was walking toward the subway station and the sidewalk that I was on was super crowded. Last minute I determined I was gonna cross the street . I turn around because someone screamed. There’s this crimson car, utter speed, careening down the sidewalk."
Donahey said one woman she was walking next to before she crossed the street was struck by the car. "I looked back and she was in a pile on the street," Donahey said. "It could’ve been me."
She continued: "I wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t crossed the street. It happened too prompt."
"As a Fresh Yorker you always worry about that kind of stuff but you always think it’s never gonna happen to you," Donahey said. "It just made me feel so vulnerable.
"That spread inbetween 42nd and 43rd Street is always the most crowded. The fact that that’s where he ended up going through was very likely the most devastating place that he could’ve gone," she added. "And it’s appalling because I’m here all the time. It’s just scary to know that that can happen, and it’s surreal to know, and it feels private."
Rojas has had numerous arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated, police said. Investigators are reviewing Rojas’ criminal history and are in the process of interviewing him.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News initial tests have come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. Blood tests are underway to check for the presence of synthetic marijuana or PCP, among other substances, sources said. Sources also said police are attempting to determine whether Rojas suffers from psychological problems, based on statements made at the time of his arrest.
The NYPD announced Thursday night that Rojas was charged with one count of 2nd degree murder, twenty counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas is a veteran who served in the Navy from two thousand eleven to 2014, sources said.
He has two prior arrests in Manhattan and Queens for driving while intoxicated; in one of those cases he was driving ninety mph in a 50-mph zone, law enforcement sources said. His most latest arrest was for menacing; Rojas is a notary and was arrested earlier this month for menacing someone who came to his home to get an annuity notarized, sources said.
The mayor said major sites in the city will get extra police coverage from anti-terror units.
Fresh York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene getting briefed by Fresh York Police Department officers, said in a statement, "Today’s events at Times Square were nothing brief of horrific. I was briefed at the scene by Commissioner [James] O’Neill and eyed firsthand the professionalism and diligence of Fresh York’s very first responders. As facts proceed to emerge, my heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, as well as their families."
Gov Cuomo speaks with a victim of today’s Times Square incident pic.twitter.com/7lXFCniOao
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May Legal, two thousand seventeen
While there are some streets closed to traffic, Broadway theaters will be open tonight and will be accessible to pedestrians.
ABC News’ Gio Benitez, Mark Crudele, Aaron Katersky, Erin Keohane, Josh Margolin, Will Gretsky and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
Woman killed, twenty two injured after car plows into pedestrians in Times Square; no indication of terrorism – ABC News
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- Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
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A driver plowed into a crowd in Fresh York’s Times Square midday Thursday, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring twenty two others, police said.
The motorist, a Navy veteran, attempted to flee the scene, according to police, but was tackled by a traffic agent.
There is no indication of terrorism based on information at this time, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police said the driver is in custody and this is believed to be an isolated incident.
A witness told ABC station WABC the scene was total "chaos" and "everybody was attempting to help."
The car, a two thousand nine Honda Accord, struck twenty three pedestrians, killing Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, law enforcement sources and city officials said. Elsman graduated from Portage Central High School in 2016, her former principal said.
"Alyssa was the type of person who seemed very bashful and reserved when you very first met her, but once you began talking to her you realized she was brainy, funny and engaging," principal Eric Alburtus said in a statement. "She will be deeply missed by the staff and students here."
The statement said the school will have distress counselors available on Friday "to help any students and staff who need support in processing this loss."
Portage Central High School
Police said twenty two people were taken to nearby hospitals, including the 13-year-old sister of the deceased victim. Officials said four people are in critical condition, three others suffered serious injuries and the other fifteen people have less serious injuries.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The driver was identified by police as Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx. At 11:55 a.m. he was driving south on 7th Avenue when he made a quick U-turn onto a sidewalk at 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk for three-and-a-half blocks, striking numerous pedestrians until crashing at 45th Street, according to law enforcement.
After Rojas crashed, he fled the car but was detained by police and civilians, police said. He allegedly punched a police officer as they took him into custody, sources said.
The car appeared to catch fire after crashing.
Witness Annie Donahey told ABC News, "I was walking toward the subway station and the sidewalk that I was on was super crowded. Last minute I determined I was gonna cross the street . I turn around because someone screamed. There’s this crimson car, total speed, careening down the sidewalk."
Donahey said one woman she was walking next to before she crossed the street was struck by the car. "I looked back and she was in a pile on the street," Donahey said. "It could’ve been me."
She continued: "I wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t crossed the street. It happened too swift."
"As a Fresh Yorker you always worry about that kind of stuff but you always think it’s never gonna happen to you," Donahey said. "It just made me feel so vulnerable.
"That spread inbetween 42nd and 43rd Street is always the most crowded. The fact that that’s where he ended up going through was very likely the most devastating place that he could’ve gone," she added. "And it’s appalling because I’m here all the time. It’s just scary to know that that can happen, and it’s surreal to know, and it feels individual."
Rojas has had numerous arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated, police said. Investigators are reviewing Rojas’ criminal history and are in the process of interviewing him.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News initial tests have come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. Blood tests are underway to check for the presence of synthetic marijuana or PCP, among other substances, sources said. Sources also said police are attempting to determine whether Rojas suffers from psychological problems, based on statements made at the time of his arrest.
The NYPD announced Thursday night that Rojas was charged with one count of 2nd degree murder, twenty counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas is a veteran who served in the Navy from two thousand eleven to 2014, sources said.
He has two prior arrests in Manhattan and Queens for driving while intoxicated; in one of those cases he was driving ninety mph in a 50-mph zone, law enforcement sources said. His most latest arrest was for menacing; Rojas is a notary and was arrested earlier this month for menacing someone who came to his home to get an annuity notarized, sources said.
The mayor said major sites in the city will get extra police coverage from anti-terror units.
Fresh York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene getting briefed by Fresh York Police Department officers, said in a statement, "Today’s events at Times Square were nothing brief of horrific. I was briefed at the scene by Commissioner [James] O’Neill and spotted firsthand the professionalism and diligence of Fresh York’s very first responders. As facts proceed to emerge, my heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, as well as their families."
Gov Cuomo speaks with a victim of today’s Times Square incident pic.twitter.com/7lXFCniOao
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May Legitimate, two thousand seventeen
While there are some streets closed to traffic, Broadway theaters will be open tonight and will be accessible to pedestrians.
ABC News’ Gio Benitez, Mark Crudele, Aaron Katersky, Erin Keohane, Josh Margolin, Will Gretsky and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
Woman killed, twenty two injured after car plows into pedestrians in Times Square; no indication of terrorism – ABC News
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- Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
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A driver plowed into a crowd in Fresh York’s Times Square midday Thursday, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring twenty two others, police said.
The motorist, a Navy veteran, attempted to flee the scene, according to police, but was tackled by a traffic agent.
There is no indication of terrorism based on information at this time, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police said the driver is in custody and this is believed to be an isolated incident.
A witness told ABC station WABC the scene was total "chaos" and "everybody was attempting to help."
The car, a two thousand nine Honda Accord, struck twenty three pedestrians, killing Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, law enforcement sources and city officials said. Elsman graduated from Portage Central High School in 2016, her former principal said.
"Alyssa was the type of person who seemed very bashful and reserved when you very first met her, but once you commenced talking to her you realized she was wise, funny and engaging," principal Eric Alburtus said in a statement. "She will be deeply missed by the staff and students here."
The statement said the school will have distress counselors available on Friday "to help any students and staff who need support in processing this loss."
Portage Central High School
Police said twenty two people were taken to nearby hospitals, including the 13-year-old sister of the deceased victim. Officials said four people are in critical condition, three others suffered serious injuries and the other fifteen people have less serious injuries.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The driver was identified by police as Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx. At 11:55 a.m. he was driving south on 7th Avenue when he made a quick U-turn onto a sidewalk at 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk for three-and-a-half blocks, striking numerous pedestrians until crashing at 45th Street, according to law enforcement.
After Rojas crashed, he fled the car but was detained by police and civilians, police said. He allegedly punched a police officer as they took him into custody, sources said.
The car appeared to catch fire after crashing.
Witness Annie Donahey told ABC News, "I was walking toward the subway station and the sidewalk that I was on was super crowded. Last minute I determined I was gonna cross the street . I turn around because someone screamed. There’s this crimson car, utter speed, careening down the sidewalk."
Donahey said one woman she was walking next to before she crossed the street was struck by the car. "I looked back and she was in a pile on the street," Donahey said. "It could’ve been me."
She continued: "I wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t crossed the street. It happened too swift."
"As a Fresh Yorker you always worry about that kind of stuff but you always think it’s never gonna happen to you," Donahey said. "It just made me feel so defenseless.
"That open up inbetween 42nd and 43rd Street is always the most crowded. The fact that that’s where he ended up going through was most likely the most devastating place that he could’ve gone," she added. "And it’s appalling because I’m here all the time. It’s just scary to know that that can happen, and it’s surreal to know, and it feels individual."
Rojas has had numerous arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated, police said. Investigators are reviewing Rojas’ criminal history and are in the process of interviewing him.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News initial tests have come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. Blood tests are underway to check for the presence of synthetic marijuana or PCP, among other substances, sources said. Sources also said police are attempting to determine whether Rojas suffers from psychological problems, based on statements made at the time of his arrest.
The NYPD announced Thursday night that Rojas was charged with one count of 2nd degree murder, twenty counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas is a veteran who served in the Navy from two thousand eleven to 2014, sources said.
He has two prior arrests in Manhattan and Queens for driving while intoxicated; in one of those cases he was driving ninety mph in a 50-mph zone, law enforcement sources said. His most latest arrest was for menacing; Rojas is a notary and was arrested earlier this month for menacing someone who came to his home to get an annuity notarized, sources said.
The mayor said major sites in the city will get extra police coverage from anti-terror units.
Fresh York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene getting briefed by Fresh York Police Department officers, said in a statement, "Today’s events at Times Square were nothing brief of horrific. I was briefed at the scene by Commissioner [James] O’Neill and spotted firsthand the professionalism and diligence of Fresh York’s very first responders. As facts proceed to emerge, my heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, as well as their families."
Gov Cuomo speaks with a victim of today’s Times Square incident pic.twitter.com/7lXFCniOao
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May Legitimate, two thousand seventeen
While there are some streets closed to traffic, Broadway theaters will be open tonight and will be accessible to pedestrians.
ABC News’ Gio Benitez, Mark Crudele, Aaron Katersky, Erin Keohane, Josh Margolin, Will Gretsky and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
Woman killed, twenty two injured after car plows into pedestrians in Times Square; no indication of terrorism – ABC News
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- Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
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A driver plowed into a crowd in Fresh York’s Times Square midday Thursday, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring twenty two others, police said.
The motorist, a Navy veteran, attempted to flee the scene, according to police, but was tackled by a traffic agent.
There is no indication of terrorism based on information at this time, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police said the driver is in custody and this is believed to be an isolated incident.
A witness told ABC station WABC the scene was total "chaos" and "everybody was attempting to help."
The car, a two thousand nine Honda Accord, struck twenty three pedestrians, killing Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, law enforcement sources and city officials said. Elsman graduated from Portage Central High School in 2016, her former principal said.
"Alyssa was the type of person who seemed very timid and reserved when you very first met her, but once you commenced talking to her you realized she was clever, funny and engaging," principal Eric Alburtus said in a statement. "She will be deeply missed by the staff and students here."
The statement said the school will have distress counselors available on Friday "to help any students and staff who need support in processing this loss."
Portage Central High School
Police said twenty two people were taken to nearby hospitals, including the 13-year-old sister of the deceased victim. Officials said four people are in critical condition, three others suffered serious injuries and the other fifteen people have less serious injuries.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The driver was identified by police as Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx. At 11:55 a.m. he was driving south on 7th Avenue when he made a quick U-turn onto a sidewalk at 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk for three-and-a-half blocks, striking numerous pedestrians until crashing at 45th Street, according to law enforcement.
After Rojas crashed, he fled the car but was detained by police and civilians, police said. He allegedly punched a police officer as they took him into custody, sources said.
The car appeared to catch fire after crashing.
Witness Annie Donahey told ABC News, "I was walking toward the subway station and the sidewalk that I was on was super crowded. Last minute I determined I was gonna cross the street . I turn around because someone screamed. There’s this crimson car, total speed, careening down the sidewalk."
Donahey said one woman she was walking next to before she crossed the street was struck by the car. "I looked back and she was in a pile on the street," Donahey said. "It could’ve been me."
She continued: "I wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t crossed the street. It happened too rapid."
"As a Fresh Yorker you always worry about that kind of stuff but you always think it’s never gonna happen to you," Donahey said. "It just made me feel so vulnerable.
"That spread inbetween 42nd and 43rd Street is always the most crowded. The fact that that’s where he ended up going through was very likely the most devastating place that he could’ve gone," she added. "And it’s horrifying because I’m here all the time. It’s just scary to know that that can happen, and it’s surreal to know, and it feels individual."
Rojas has had numerous arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated, police said. Investigators are reviewing Rojas’ criminal history and are in the process of interviewing him.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News initial tests have come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. Blood tests are underway to check for the presence of synthetic marijuana or PCP, among other substances, sources said. Sources also said police are attempting to determine whether Rojas suffers from psychological problems, based on statements made at the time of his arrest.
The NYPD announced Thursday night that Rojas was charged with one count of 2nd degree murder, twenty counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas is a veteran who served in the Navy from two thousand eleven to 2014, sources said.
He has two prior arrests in Manhattan and Queens for driving while intoxicated; in one of those cases he was driving ninety mph in a 50-mph zone, law enforcement sources said. His most latest arrest was for menacing; Rojas is a notary and was arrested earlier this month for menacing someone who came to his home to get an annuity notarized, sources said.
The mayor said major sites in the city will get extra police coverage from anti-terror units.
Fresh York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene getting briefed by Fresh York Police Department officers, said in a statement, "Today’s events at Times Square were nothing brief of horrific. I was briefed at the scene by Commissioner [James] O’Neill and spotted firsthand the professionalism and diligence of Fresh York’s very first responders. As facts proceed to emerge, my heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, as well as their families."
Gov Cuomo speaks with a victim of today’s Times Square incident pic.twitter.com/7lXFCniOao
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May Eighteen, two thousand seventeen
While there are some streets closed to traffic, Broadway theaters will be open tonight and will be accessible to pedestrians.
ABC News’ Gio Benitez, Mark Crudele, Aaron Katersky, Erin Keohane, Josh Margolin, Will Gretsky and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
Woman killed, twenty two injured after car plows into pedestrians in Times Square; no indication of terrorism – ABC News
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Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
- Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
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A driver plowed into a crowd in Fresh York’s Times Square midday Thursday, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring twenty two others, police said.
The motorist, a Navy veteran, attempted to flee the scene, according to police, but was tackled by a traffic agent.
There is no indication of terrorism based on information at this time, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police said the driver is in custody and this is believed to be an isolated incident.
A witness told ABC station WABC the scene was total "chaos" and "everybody was attempting to help."
The car, a two thousand nine Honda Accord, struck twenty three pedestrians, killing Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, law enforcement sources and city officials said. Elsman graduated from Portage Central High School in 2016, her former principal said.
"Alyssa was the type of person who seemed very timid and reserved when you very first met her, but once you commenced talking to her you realized she was brainy, funny and engaging," principal Eric Alburtus said in a statement. "She will be deeply missed by the staff and students here."
The statement said the school will have trouble counselors available on Friday "to help any students and staff who need support in processing this loss."
Portage Central High School
Police said twenty two people were taken to nearby hospitals, including the 13-year-old sister of the deceased victim. Officials said four people are in critical condition, three others suffered serious injuries and the other fifteen people have less serious injuries.
Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The driver was identified by police as Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx. At 11:55 a.m. he was driving south on 7th Avenue when he made a quick U-turn onto a sidewalk at 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk for three-and-a-half blocks, striking numerous pedestrians until crashing at 45th Street, according to law enforcement.
After Rojas crashed, he fled the car but was detained by police and civilians, police said. He allegedly punched a police officer as they took him into custody, sources said.
The car appeared to catch fire after crashing.
Witness Annie Donahey told ABC News, "I was walking toward the subway station and the sidewalk that I was on was super crowded. Last minute I determined I was gonna cross the street . I turn around because someone screamed. There’s this crimson car, utter speed, careening down the sidewalk."
Donahey said one woman she was walking next to before she crossed the street was struck by the car. "I looked back and she was in a pile on the street," Donahey said. "It could’ve been me."
She continued: "I wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t crossed the street. It happened too quick."
"As a Fresh Yorker you always worry about that kind of stuff but you always think it’s never gonna happen to you," Donahey said. "It just made me feel so vulnerable.
"That open up inbetween 42nd and 43rd Street is always the most crowded. The fact that that’s where he ended up going through was very likely the most devastating place that he could’ve gone," she added. "And it’s appalling because I’m here all the time. It’s just scary to know that that can happen, and it’s surreal to know, and it feels individual."
Rojas has had numerous arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated, police said. Investigators are reviewing Rojas’ criminal history and are in the process of interviewing him.
Law enforcement sources told ABC News initial tests have come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. Blood tests are underway to check for the presence of synthetic marijuana or PCP, among other substances, sources said. Sources also said police are attempting to determine whether Rojas suffers from psychological problems, based on statements made at the time of his arrest.
The NYPD announced Thursday night that Rojas was charged with one count of 2nd degree murder, twenty counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas is a veteran who served in the Navy from two thousand eleven to 2014, sources said.
He has two prior arrests in Manhattan and Queens for driving while intoxicated; in one of those cases he was driving ninety mph in a 50-mph zone, law enforcement sources said. His most latest arrest was for menacing; Rojas is a notary and was arrested earlier this month for menacing someone who came to his home to get an annuity notarized, sources said.
The mayor said major sites in the city will get extra police coverage from anti-terror units.
Fresh York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene getting briefed by Fresh York Police Department officers, said in a statement, "Today’s events at Times Square were nothing brief of horrific. I was briefed at the scene by Commissioner [James] O’Neill and witnessed firsthand the professionalism and diligence of Fresh York’s very first responders. As facts proceed to emerge, my heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, as well as their families."
Gov Cuomo speaks with a victim of today’s Times Square incident pic.twitter.com/7lXFCniOao
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) May Legitimate, two thousand seventeen
While there are some streets closed to traffic, Broadway theaters will be open tonight and will be accessible to pedestrians.
ABC News’ Gio Benitez, Mark Crudele, Aaron Katersky, Erin Keohane, Josh Margolin, Will Gretsky and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
