Driver arrested for murder in Chinatown hit-and-run attempted to escape in taxi and had a tequila bottle in the car, according to authorities.

A recent incident in Chinatown has led to severe legal repercussions for a 23-year-old woman charged with multiple counts of murder following a tragic car crash that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Prosecution claims that the driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, was aware of the fatalities when she and her passenger attempted to flee the scene shortly after the event.

The crash, occurring at approximately 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning at the intersection of Bowery and Canal Street, involved a stolen blue Chevy Malibu that Romero was driving. Victims identified as May Kwok, aged 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, aged 55, suffered fatal injuries due to the impact. Initial reports indicate that the vehicle, which had recently exited the Manhattan Bridge, collided with both victims before crashing into a parked NYPD van.

Romero, who refused to submit to blood and breathalyzer tests after being taken to a nearby hospital, reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving. An investigation revealed an open tequila bottle and a travel cup filled with alcohol inside the vehicle, further complicating her case. Authorities also discovered two firearms and ammunition in the trunk of the stolen Malibu.

Romero’s co-defendant, 22-year-old Kennedy Lecraft, who allegedly rented the Malibu and was present at the time of the crash, faces charges including weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Lecraft was arraigned a day earlier than Romero and is currently held on a bond of 0,000 at Rikers Island. Defense attorneys for Romero suggested that Lecraft may have interfered with the vehicle’s control, potentially exacerbating the situation leading up to the crash.

Eyewitness accounts describe how both women attempted to escape the scene, only to be deterred by bystanders who prevented their getaway until law enforcement arrived. Prosecutors emphasized that the defendants did not seem troubled by the gravity of their actions, having sat just a short distance from the victims before making their escape attempt.

Assistant District Attorney Maria Luna highlighted Romero’s previous legal troubles, noting that she was already facing charges related to a hit-and-run incident earlier this year in which she injured another person. This history of misconduct adds weight to the prosecution’s determination to seek a strict penalty.

During the arraignment, Judge Michelle Weber ordered Romero to be held without bail, citing the severity of the charges, which include two counts of murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, and manslaughter. Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court again, as this case continues to unfold amid a backdrop of community mourning for the lives lost.

The legal proceedings will unfold against a backdrop of public outcry, as the consequences of driving under the influence have once again been brought to the forefront of societal concerns regarding road safety and public accountability. Media News Source.