Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pnwmom

(108,973 posts)
Thu May 18, 2017, 05:10 PM May 2017

A US citizen rammed his car through Times Square, killing a woman and injuring 22.

This US citizen has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, along with military service. No known connections to terrorism, and he's not an "illegal."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/05/18/at-least-one-killed-others-injured-after-vehicle-drove-down-sidewalk-in-new-yorks-times-square-reports-say/?utm_term=.e00e328cff0d

A vehicle driving through New York City’s bustling Times Square plowed into a crowd, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring 22 others during Thursday’s lunchtime rush, authorities said.

The driver, who was identified by police as 26-year-old Richard Rojas, was driving down Seventh Avenue in Manhattan when he made a sudden U-turn, mounted a sidewalk and drove at a “high rate” for several blocks, striking unsuspecting pedestrians along the way, authorities said. An 18-year-old woman was killed, authorities said, and her 13-year-old sister was injured. Police did not release information on the other victims.

Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said during an afternoon news conference that there is no indication the incident was related to terrorism. He said it was a “tough day for New York City but, as usual, the people of New York City will stand firm.”

SNIP

Authorities said Rojas, the driver, is a U.S. Navy veteran with a criminal history that includes two arrests for driving while intoxicated. After the incident Thursday, Rojas, was taken into custody and was being tested for drugs and alcohol, police said. Police have not yet released the results of those tests.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
1. Sadly because it's "just" DWI
Thu May 18, 2017, 05:49 PM
May 2017

and the driver is a regular 'Merican, this story will vanish pretty quickly...

Which is a shame, since drunk driving kills a hell of a lot more people than terrorism...

 

Shandris

(3,447 posts)
4. Every last name, every skin color brings a comment from SOME racist...
Thu May 18, 2017, 06:10 PM
May 2017

...or another. It's really unavoidable, sad as that is.

tblue37

(65,274 posts)
8. He is also a PoC whose family came from the Dominican Republic. I have already seen comments that
Thu May 18, 2017, 08:04 PM
May 2017

refer to him as "an illegal." Even when corrected, the people making such comments double down on them.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
5. Tragic. The poor woman was only 18 years old. I hope this man spends a lot of time in
Thu May 18, 2017, 06:58 PM
May 2017

prison and NEVER, ever gets a chance to get behind the wheel again.

ThoughtProvoker

(32 posts)
6. I Cannot....
Thu May 18, 2017, 07:05 PM
May 2017

I cannot stand drunk drivers. It's one thing to be reckless with your own life, but to be reckless with the lives of everyone else on the road... GTFO.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»A US citizen rammed his c...