Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictments of AUTUMN ROMERO, 23, and KENNEDY LECRAFT, 22, for their roles in a fatal car crash in Chinatown in July 2025. ROMERO is charged in a New York State Supreme Court Indictment with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, and three counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, among other charges. LECRAFT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court Indictment with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, among other charges. [1]

“Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok were simply enjoying their mornings outside when Autumn Romero and Kennedy Lecraft allegedly crashed into them at a high speed, tragically ending their lives,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Safety on our streets is an essential component of public safety, and we will hold people who commit harm with their vehicles accountable. My heart goes out to the loved ones of Ms. Kwok and Mr. Cruickshank, and my office will pursue justice for them.”

“Autumn Romero and Kennedy Lecraft allegedly took a stolen car on a drunken, reckless joyride through Manhattan. Because of their actions, two families are now left grieving the loss of their loved ones,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok were unassuming victims who never had a chance to protect themselves from a car speeding out of control at over 100 miles an hour. I’m grateful to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their swift work, and to the everyday New Yorkers who saw this horrific crash, worked with our NYPD officers to identify these individuals and helped bring them to justice.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on July 19, 2025, at approximately 7:20 a.m., ROMERO was driving a stolen rented vehicle, originally rented by LECRAFT, the passenger.

ROMERO was driving at a high rate of speed over the Manhattan Bridge when Kevin Cruickshank was riding his bike on the sidewalk towards the Manhattan Bridge and May Kwok was sitting on a bench at the intersection of Canal Street and Bowery.

ROMERO was driving at over 100 MPH when she crashed into Mr. Cruickshank, who was thrown from his bicycle and across the intersection, and Ms. Kwok, who was thrown from the bench. Both victims had devastating internal and external injuries and were declared dead on arrival.

The vehicle also crashed into a parked NYPD auxiliary van, destroying its back rear wheel, and ramming it across the intersection.

After the crash, LECRAFT and ROMERO exited the vehicle, sat on the curb for several minutes and attempted to go through the car and open the trunk, before then leaving the scene as EMTs arrived.

Eyewitnesses attempted to stop them from leaving, but the defendants continued to walk towards Hester Street and Elizabeth Street. Eyewitnesses alerted the police to their whereabouts, and the defendants were arrested.

A search warrant was conducted on the vehicle; a bottle of alcohol was found in the vehicle and two operable firearms with ammunition were found in a shoebox.

Assistant D.A.s Maria Luna, Shanda Strain, and Maureen Paparo are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Investigative Analyst Molly Viar and Trial Preparation Assistants Caroline Schwanewede and Grace Lillis are also providing valuable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Officer Robyn Camacho of the 5th Precinct, and Detectives Ronny Velez and Ramon Pina of the Highway Collision Investigation Squad.

Defendant Information:

AUTUMN ROMERO

Staten Island, NY

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, two counts
• Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B felony, three counts
• Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class C felony, three counts
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a class D felony, one count

KENNEDY LECRAFT

Queens, NY

Charged:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.