A deadly crash in Manhattan’s Chinatown has left a community reeling and two women facing serious charges after a stolen car plowed into a pedestrian and a cyclist early Saturday morning.
According to police, 23-year-old Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero of Staten Island and 22-year-old Kennedy LeCraft of Queens were in a blue Chevrolet Malibu—reported stolen after being overdue from a rental—when they sped off the Manhattan Bridge and lost control. The vehicle mounted a curb at the intersection of Canal and Bowery Streets, slamming into 63-year-old May Kwok, who was sitting on a bench, and 55-year-old cyclist Kevin Cruickshank. Both victims died at the scene.
Authorities say the car was carrying alcohol, drugs, and two illegal firearms. Surveillance footage shows the vehicle moving at a dangerously high speed just seconds before the fatal crash.
Romero, who was behind the wheel, has been charged with murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon, and more. She remains held without bail. LeCraft, the passenger, faces charges related to unauthorized vehicle use and weapons possession, with bail set at $150,000.
This isn’t Romero’s first brush with the law—records show she was previously charged in a Brooklyn hit-and-run just months earlier.
The victims’ families are devastated. Cruickshank, a Chase Bank loan manager and passionate cycling advocate, was training for a charity ride. Kwok was known as a free spirit who often enjoyed quiet moments in the park.
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for better enforcement of reckless driving laws and tighter controls on overdue rental vehicles.
The investigation remains ongoing.
