Two Killed In Chinatown Involving Stolen Vehicle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2025

Manhattan, NY — On Saturday, July 19th, tragedy struck in the early morning when two passersby were struck by a speeding car on the intersection of Canal Street and the Bowery. 

Just before 7:30 a.m., a stolen blue Chevrolet Malibu came speeding down the Manhattan Bridge into Chinatown. The driver, 23 year-old Kennedy Lecraft, and her passenger, a 22 year-old woman whose name is undisclosed, are suspected to have been on an outing for Lecraft’s birthday in a stolen rental car that was supposed to be returned weeks prior to the incident.

As a result of Lecraft’s reckless driving, 63 year-old May Kwok, who was sitting on a bench nearby, and 55-year-old Kevin Scott Cruickshank, who was cycling near the area, were hit by the speeding car. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Coincidentally, an empty NYPD van was also stationed nearby. At the moment of the impact, both Ms. Kwok and the van were thrown across the street. Although the NYPD van bashed against the store front of New York Jewelry Exchange, no one was inside the store at the time of the incident, and as a result, no customers or employees were harmed.

The culprits, covered in blood, attempted to flee from the scene on foot after the incident. However, it was not even a block away that the pair was seen being taken into custody at the 5th police precinct nearby by NYPD officers. The driver and passenger were taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment and drug tests. Both were last reported to be in stable condition.

It is reported that the passenger was charged with multiple criminal charges including criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a stolen vehicle. It is unknown whether the driver will face criminal charges.

People from the community have verified that this incident is not the first of its kind. Since there is an intersection right after the end of the Manhattan Bridge, cars that are speeding down from the bridge don't have enough time to adjust, which increases the risk of car crash incidents when turning at the intersection. 

Although outside of Senator Chan’s district, many of Senator Chan’s constituents have familiar ties to the Chinatown community

 This is another example of a tragedy that could have been prevented with stricter vehicle regulations. 

Senator Chan continues to fight for the safety of all communities, even those outside of his district, by pushing for these regulations to be put in place.

For more information: 
CONTACT:
The Office of Senator Stephen T. Chan
Phone: (718) 333-0311
Email: Chan@nysenate.gov