Woman With Prior Criminal Record Involved in Chinatown Fatal Hit-and-Run

A 23-year-old woman, who was recently involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Chinatown, was previously charged in another serious crash three months ago and was released without bail. The suspect, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, faced charges for leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license after a crash on April 13 in Brooklyn that injured a pedestrian.

Romero was once again involved in a violent incident early Saturday morning. She was driving a stolen blue Chevy Malibu filled with alcohol, drugs, and pills when it collided with a cyclist and an elderly woman sitting on a bench at Bowery and Canal Streets in Manhattan, resulting in their deaths. She then crashed into an NYPD van before fleeing the scene but was quickly apprehended nearby with her passenger, 22-year-old Kennedy LaCraft.

LaCraft was charged with weapon possession, stolen property, and unauthorized vehicle use; charges against Romero are pending. Court records show Romero was arraigned and released after her earlier crash due to bail reform laws, with a court date set for August 5.

Damaged car at accident scene — The stolen car involved in the deadly crash was abandoned after colliding with two pedestrians in Chinatown. William Farrington

Police stated the vehicle, which had not been returned to its rental company for 17 days, was discovered to be packed with alcohol and drugs. The car was reported stolen after the rental period expired.

Fatal accident scene involving emergency responders — The car plowed into two pedestrians and hit an NYPD van, leading to fatalities in Chinatown on Saturday morning. William Farrington

Relatives identified the bicyclist as Kevin Scott Cruickshank, 55, a bank loan manager. His family described him as a neighborhood fixture, known for his friendly manner and love of cycling, expressing grief over his tragic death while doing what he loved.

Rescue workers at the scene — Emergency responders place Kevin Cruickshank’s body after the crash. The other victim was May Kwok, 63, who was sitting on a bench nearby. William Farrington

The victims also included May Kwok, 63. Her brother, Peter Kwok, noted she enjoyed sitting on her usual bench, often attending church in Chinatown, and believed her mental health struggles sometimes led her to wander at night.