Victim killed in Times Square crash ID'd as 18-year-old tourist from Michigan

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Friday, May 19, 2017
Teen killed when driver plows through Times Square crowd
Teen killed when driver plows through Times Square crowd

TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan -- The person killed in a horrific crash in New York City's Times Square Thursday was an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan.

The victim has been identified as Alyssa Elsman. She was among 23 people struck by a speeding car driven up the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue just before noon.

Elsman was with her 13-year-old sister, who was also injured in the crash.

Alyssa Elsman graduated high school last summer.

"She was a terrific young lady... and we will really miss her," said Eric Alburtus, principal at Portage Central High School.

PHOTOS: Car plows into crowd in Times Square

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AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Police said the driver was high on drugs - possibly synthetic marijuana (K2) when he made the turn up Seventh Avenue from 42nd Street and drove three blocks before striking a metal pole.

RELATED: What we know about the driver

What we know about the man behind crash in Times Square