Double Tragedy in NYC's Chinatown

On Saturday morning, a devastating accident took place in Manhattan's Chinatown, leaving two people dead. A driver speeding westbound on the Manhattan Bridge struck a cyclist and a pedestrian sitting on a bench.

<img src="https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/07/19/50112ea0-a93a-4428-8007-752c23b08684/thumbnail/640x360/1ccd099be83a8f6a3a77c10b97077516/chinatown-crash-jd-cell-3-hi-res-still.jpg#" alt="Accident scene in Chinatown">

The Details

The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at Canal Street and Broadway. The driver, in a blue Chevy Malibu, also collided with an unoccupied NYPD van. Both the cyclist, a man believed to be in his 30s, and the pedestrian, identified as 63-year-old May Kwok, were killed at the scene.

The impact was so forceful that the NYPD van was hurled across the street, along with the bench the woman was sitting on. Significant damage was also inflicted on the New York Jewelers Exchange storefront.

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Driver and Passenger Attempt to Flee

The driver and her passenger, both women in their 20s, attempted to leave the scene but were apprehended by witnesses and police a block away. They were taken into custody and are currently being evaluated at a hospital.

Police revealed that the driver was unauthorized to operate the vehicle, which had Wisconsin plates and was a past-due rental from Staten Island.

Witness Accounts

Witnesses described a chaotic scene, recounting the loud impact and the aftermath. One witness, Sam Qwang, said, "I just heard a big boom, then I saw the police van flew over there." Another witness helped detain the driver and her passenger until police arrived.

This tragic event underscores the importance of safe driving practices and highlights the devastating consequences of reckless actions.