A stolen car in Chinatown struck two bystanders, tragically resulting in their deaths.
Prosecutors from Manhattan reported that the reckless duo, involved in a shocking incident on Saturday morning, crashed into an NYPD van. Inside the stolen blue Chevy Malibu, they had concealed a firearm in the trunk.
The driver, 23-year-old Donna Asensio Romero, and her passenger, 22-year-old Kennedy LeCraft, allegedly fled the scene but were quickly apprehended by a nearby police officer.
Romero is facing serious charges including murder, manslaughter, and possession of stolen property and a firearm, as authorities discovered a gun and ammunition in the vehicle following the fatal crash.
LeCraft was arrested on Monday with charges related to the misuse of a motor vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property and weapons. A Supreme Court judge has set LeCraft’s bail at $150,000 cash or $300,000 in bonds.
Details show that Romero already had a pending criminal case involving a car accident in Brooklyn from April, which had left a 22-year-old woman seriously injured. Remarkably, she had been released without bail prior to this incident.
In the tragic accident, the Chevrolet, rented the previous month, had been unreturned for 17 days, according to law enforcement officials. Sources also indicated the vehicle was loaded with drugs and alcohol.
A family spokesperson mentioned that Crookshank, who was cycling when he was struck, actively advocated for safe streets.
Kwok’s brother shared that she had faced mental health challenges but enjoyed spending time on a bench outside her church in Chinatown.
