An 18-year-old woman was killed and 22 other people were injured when a car plowed into pedestrians in New York City's Times Square on Thursday, according to city officials, as the mayor said there was no indication of a terrorist motive.
The male driver appeared to have made an illegal turn and sped along in the wrong direction for three blocks, knocking people over until the car hit a pole and came to a stop at 45th Street and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, at 11:55 a.m. local time, said James O'Neill, commissioner of the New York Police Department.
New York City Police commissioner James O'Neill speaks at a press conference after a car struck pedestrians in Times Square on May 18, 2017 in New York, United States. /VCG Photo
"Based on the information that we have at this moment, there is no indication that this was an act of terrorism," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference at the scene of the incident.
First responders at the scene as people help injured pedestrians after a car jumped a sidewalk in Times Square in New York, US, May 18, 2017. /VCG Photo
The driver, identified as 26-year-old Richard Rojas from New York City's Bronx borough, is now in custody. Witnesses said that the act was intentional, and a law enforcement source told CNN that Rojas had tested positive for hallucinogenic drug PCP.
The suspect reportedly suffered from "psychological issues." He told the police that God made him do it, and expected officers to shoot him, said the source.
Rojas has two previous DWIs (driving while intoxicated) in 2008 and 2015 respectively.
A vehicle that struck pedestrians and later crashed is seen on the sidewalk in Times Square in New York City, US, May 18, 2017. /VCG Photo
The police have identified the dead woman as Alyssa Elsman, a resident of Portage, Michigan.
The Consulate General of China in New York has activated an emergency mechanism and contacted local police and hospital authorities for more information about the injured. There are no reports of Chinese nationals among the casualties.
New York Police Department cordoned off the area following the incident.
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