The tragic crash that unfolded in Manhattan’s Chinatown last Saturday morning has left New Yorkers shaken—and two families in mourning. According to police and prosecutors, a stolen blue Chevy Malibu, overdue by 17 days from an Enterprise Rent-A-Car, was speeding through the streets when it struck and killed 63-year-old pedestrian May Kwok and 63-year-old cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank before crashing into an NYPD van.
The vehicle was reportedly filled with drugs, alcohol, and an illegal gun stashed in the trunk. Surveillance footage shows the horrifying moment the stolen vehicle mowed down the victims. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, 23, and passenger Kennedy Lecraft, 22, fled the scene but were caught shortly after and now face a long list of felony charges, including murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Civil Accountability Beyond Criminal Charges
While criminal proceedings are underway, the families of May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank may also pursue civil lawsuits to seek justice and financial compensation for the devastating loss of their loved ones. Civil liability is distinct from criminal guilt and focuses on whether someone’s negligence contributed to the crash.
Possible defendants in such a case may include:
- The driver and passenger, personally liable for reckless conduct;
- The rental car company, if it failed to take reasonable steps to recover the overdue vehicle;
- Any third parties who contributed to the chain of events that led to the tragedy.
Was the Rental Car Company Negligent?
The fact that the vehicle had been rented nearly three weeks prior and was still unreturned raises serious concerns. If Enterprise failed to report the vehicle missing promptly or did not attempt timely recovery, a legal theory of negligent entrustment could apply. In certain cases, rental companies may be held liable for injuries caused by vehicles that were not properly secured, tracked, or retrieved.
Legal Rights of Pedestrians and Cyclists in NYC
Both victims—Kwok, a pedestrian, and Cruickshank, a cyclist—are among the most vulnerable road users. In these types of cases, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims through experienced New York pedestrian accident lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys. Damages may include funeral costs, medical expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
Our New York car accident attorneys are also skilled in investigating complex crashes involving stolen or rental vehicles, overlapping criminal and civil liability, and governmental involvement—such as when an NYPD vehicle is struck.
Don’t Wait—Important Deadlines Apply
If a government vehicle is involved, such as the NYPD van in this crash, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. Time is critical. Evidence, surveillance footage, and witness statements must be preserved quickly.
Justice for May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank
Both victims were 63 years old. News reports indicate May Kwok was a Chinatown resident beloved in her community, while Kevin Cruickshank was riding his bicycle that morning when he was violently struck. Their senseless deaths underscore the importance of holding all responsible parties accountable—not just in criminal court, but also in civil court, where families can seek closure and compensation.
Contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf
For more than a century, our top-rated attorneys have represented victims of catastrophic crashes, securing over $5 billion in verdicts and settlements. If your family is facing a tragedy like this, call 212-943-1090 for a free case evaluation.