Driver charged with murder in deadly Chinatown crash involving out-of-control stolen car
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- The driver suspected in a deadly crash that left a cyclist and pedestrian dead over the weekend is facing a slew of charges, including murder.
Kevin Crukshank, 55, and May Kwok, 63, were killed when officials say a stolen car speeding off the Manhattan Bridge lost control on Saturday.
Crukshank, an avid cyclist, was riding when he was hit. Kwok was sitting on a bench nearby.
Surveillance video showed a stolen blue Chevrolet speeding on Canal Street and Bowery around 7:30 a.m.
Police say two women, 22 and 23 years old, were in the car when the 23-year-old driver lost control, jumped the curb, and struck the two victims before slamming into an unoccupied police van.
The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, was charged Monday with murder, manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, criminal possession of a weapon, leaving the scene of an accident and criminal possession of stolen property.
Passenger Kennedy Lecraft, 22, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The women tried to leave the scene but were found and arrested, according to officials.
Mayor Eric Adams cited speed as a factor in the fatal crash in a news conference Sunday morning.
"It appears to be excessive speed. Two people are in custody, unfortunate incident--no one should lose their life in that manner."
Crukshank's family was too upset to speak but shared that he was known for his warm, welcoming spirit and love for helping friends and neighbors.
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