On May 18, 2017, Richard Rojas, a 26-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, drove a burgundy Honda sedan onto a crowded sidewalk in Times Square, New York City. He sped along the sidewalk for three blocks, plowing into pedestrians before crashing into a steel barrier at 45th Street. The attack killed an 18-year-old tourist and injured 22 others.
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Richard Rojas.
Location.
Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, spanning from 42nd Street to 45th Street.
Casualties.
Alyssa Elsman, a tourist from Michigan, died at the scene. Her 13-year-old sister and over 20 other pedestrians suffered severe injuries ranging from broken bones to a collapsed lung.
The Aftermath.
Rojas attempted to flee on foot but was tackled and detained by civilians and a traffic agent before being arrested by police.
Motive and Legal Proceedings.
Authorities quickly ruled out terrorism.
The Trial.
During his 2022 trial in Manhattan, prosecutors argued that Rojas deliberately chose to drive his car into a highly populated area, pointing out that he told police "I wanted to kill them".
The Verdict.
Rojas's defense successfully argued that he was in the grips of an unmedicated psychotic episode and severe schizophrenia. In June 2022, a jury found Rojas not responsible by reason of mental illness.
2017 Times Square car attack - Wikipedia
Richard Rojas.
Location.
Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, spanning from 42nd Street to 45th Street.
Casualties.
Alyssa Elsman, a tourist from Michigan, died at the scene. Her 13-year-old sister and over 20 other pedestrians suffered severe injuries ranging from broken bones to a collapsed lung.
The Aftermath.
Rojas attempted to flee on foot but was tackled and detained by civilians and a traffic agent before being arrested by police.
Motive and Legal Proceedings.
Authorities quickly ruled out terrorism.
The Trial.
During his 2022 trial in Manhattan, prosecutors argued that Rojas deliberately chose to drive his car into a highly populated area, pointing out that he told police "I wanted to kill them".
The Verdict.
Rojas's defense successfully argued that he was in the grips of an unmedicated psychotic episode and severe schizophrenia. In June 2022, a jury found Rojas not responsible by reason of mental illness.
