A lunch time stroll at times square, New York, turned into a nightmare on Thursday afternoon. Blood spilled onto the Midtown Manhattan tourist site when an unruly driver of a dark red sedan rammed into a crowd of innocent pedestrians. An 18-year-old woman died on the spot, and more than 20 people critically injured. The dead victim’s 13-year-old sister was also injured.

New York Police Department (NYPD), in a series of tweets, stated that the car crash appears to be an isolated incident and is not an act of terrorism.

Television footage showed cops restraining a man in a dark T-shirt and placing him in a police car.

“It is believed to be an isolated incident, it remains under investigation. There is no indication at this point that the incident in #TimesSquare is related to terrorism,” NYPD said.

“The 22 people injured have been brought to area hospitals. NYPD detectives from multiple units are investigating the incident. More information will be provided when it becomes available,” NYPD said in its tweet.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a press conference, said based on the information they had, "there is no indication that this was an Act Of Terrorism."

Driver Rojas tried to flee the scene

According to eye witnesses at Times Square, Richard Rojas, the driver of the dark red sedan deliberately drove against the traffic stream, before mounting the pavement on Times Square.

Several witnesses told Fox News that after he crashed, Rojas tried to flee. Fortunately, he was pinned to the ground by five men, who held him at the scene until police arrived.

An injured pedestrian said that the car driver’s actions were apparently “intentional”.

The 26-year-old driver from the Bronx is now in custody.

Police reports confirmed that Rojas has two prior DWI arrests. Investigators believe Rojas was driving while impaired. According to CTV News, Rojas is a Navy veteran.

Buildings close to the accident spot are in lockdown, and the New York Police Department has cordoned off the area.

“Due to a vehicle collision with pedestrian injuries, emergency vehicles are in the area of #TimesSquare. Expect delays in the area,” NYPD stated in its tweet.

Times Square has been shutdown. NYPD have blocked off 42nd street to down 45th on 7th & 6th avenues.

Another car collision in Staten Island

In an odd coincidence, just about the same time, another car collision occurred in Staten Island. Eleven people were critically injured. According to a report by New York Daily News, the victims were rushed to Richmond University Medical Center. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
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