Stolen Car Crash Kills Two Bystanders in Manhattan

A driver fleeing the scene of a stolen vehicle incident caused a devastating crash that resulted in the death of two bystanders in Chinatown. The driver abandoned the blood-soaked vehicle, leaving behind an open bottle of tequila, two 9mm guns in the wreckage, and severe injuries to two pedestrians.

Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, 23, was arraigned on multiple charges including murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. She was ordered held without bail. Romero and her 22-year-old passenger, Kennedy Lecraft, had rented a blue 2024 Chevy Malibu and failed to return it. The vehicle was caught on video plowing into bystanders, including 63-year-old May Kwok and 55-year-old Kevin Scott Cruickshank, a bank manager and cycling enthusiast.

Surveillance footage shows the moment the stolen car barreled into a woman sitting on a bench and a cyclist passing by. The crash resulted in severe injuries, and both victims later succumbed to their wounds. The incident highlighted dangerous behavior, as Romero was already facing prior charges for injuring a woman during a traffic mishap earlier in Brooklyn.

Authorities indicated that Regal Lecraft was arraigned on charges of possessing stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is being held on a $150,000 cash bail or a $300,000 bond as investigations continue.