Times Square crash: Tributes paid to 18-year-old tourist killed when car mowed down crowds in New York

Alyssa Elsman died when she was hit by a car in Times Square

Tributes have been paid to an 18-year-old woman killed when a driver ploughed his car into pedestrians in New York City’s Times Square.

Alyssa Elsman, from Michigan, was reportedly visiting the city with her family when she was struck by the speeding car.

She was with her 13-year-old sister, who was also injured, when she was hit.

Her devastated boyfriend Trevor West told The New York Post he “knew something horrible happened” when Ms Elsman didn’t reply to one of his texts.

Tributes have flooded in after Ms Elsman was killed on Thursday
Facebook

He said: “She would always text me back as quick as she could and when I didn’t hear from her or her friend, I knew something horrible happened.

“I knew something was wrong.”

He added: "Now that she’s gone, I don’t know how I’m going to fill that void. I don’t know how I’m going to function without her ever again.”

New York: Times Square Car Crash

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Tributes have flooded in on Ms Elsman's Facebook page.

One person wrote: “Such a beautiful angel in heaven rip and prayers for your little sister and family.”

Another added: “RIP Alyssa. So sad that your life was stolen at such a young age. My heart goes out to your family and friends.”

Another said: “No words, just so unbelievably tragic. I am so very sorry for the family. God bless.”

A further 22 people were injured, four critically, when the car slammed into them at lunchtime on Thursday.

The car crashed into a pole and came to a rest at 45th Street and Broadway.

A 26-year-old man, named by police as Richard Rojas from the Bronx district, was detained by police at the scene.

The former naval officer reportedly has previous convictions for driving under the influence and is being tested for alcohol and drug levels in custody.

He was arrested twice - in 2008 and 2015 - for drink-driving offences.

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