Suspect in Henry Hudson Wrong-Way Crash Indicted
Jimmy Connors, 17, has been indicted in connection with a crash that killed a man–alongside his cousin–the day before his wedding. He’s been hit with charges including murder and “leaving the scene of an incident,” the Manhattan D.A. said.
A teenage suspect has been indicted for a deadly wrong-way crash on the Henry Hudson Parkway, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The devastating August 24 pile-up left 38 year-old Kirk Walker, and his 40 year-old cousin Robert McLaurin, dead the day before Walker’s wedding.
Jimmy Connors, 17, was hit with raps including murder and “leaving the scene of an incident” on October 16.
”This incident is a horrific tragedy, and my heartfelt thoughts are with the loved ones of Mr. Walker and Mr. McLaurin. Mr. Walker was set to get married the next day and these families should have been celebrating that joyous occasion,” Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg said.
As the D.A.’s office reiterated, Connors was allegedly driving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck southbound in the northbound lane of the parkway, at around 2:25 a.m. According to the police, he had allegedly swiped an off-duty officer’s car minutes earlier, leading to an abrupt U-turn onto the wrong exit lane for the Henry Hudson. He then reportedly crashed into a Dodge Challenger drove by Walker and McLaurin at around W. 165th St., both of whom were pronounced dead after being rushed by EMS to NYC Health/Hospitals Harlem.
Connors also allegedly ricocheted off an Audi, mildly injuring two men in their 20s. They were both reportedly taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.
The D.A.’s office said that Connors jumped out of his vehicle after the crash, which burst into flames, and hopped the median before crossing the southbound lane. He then disappeared into the woods, prosecutors said. He evaded arrest until September 13, when he was reportedly detained attempting to cross the Canadian border. He reportedly had cuts and bruises on his face and stomach, a bloodied shoulder, and walked with a limp.
Connors’ attorney, Jonathan Perez, told The Daily News at the time that the crash could be explained by his client having epilepsy and autism. He predicted that Connors would be “exonerated.”