THE wild-eyed driver of a car that ploughed into Times Square pedestrians killing one and injuring 22 was pictured being tackled by heroic bystanders last night.

US Navy veteran Richard Rojas is reported to have been high on a Spice-like zombie drug when he raged at police: "You were supposed to shoot me! I wanted to kill them.”

30 Wild-eyed Richard Rojas, 26, is seen fleeing the scene of the crash Credit: Vantage News

30 He was arrested moments later - cops say he is being tested to determine if he was on drugs Credit: Vantage News

30 Shocking images have emerged of the moment the vehicle ploughs into pedestrians Credit: Reuters

30 The horrific video was caught on CCTV in Times Square Credit: Reuters

30 Officials said the car that ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians in Times Square killed one person and injured about 20 others Credit: Rex Features

30 Planet Hollywood worker Ken Bradix was pictured restraining Rojas for police Credit: AP:Associated Press

The 26-year-old Bronx resident left a trail of death and destruction after his car ploughed through pedestrians yesterday afternoon.

Heroic New Yorkers - including a Planet Hollywood worker and a Broadway ticket seller - tackled Rojas with little regard for their own safety.

Rojas's first victim has since been named as 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman - a young student in the Big Apple on holiday with her family.

Her killer, who it is reported had previous brushes with the law over drink-driving, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, 20 counts of attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.

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Overnight he was pictured being taken police custody by New York coppers.

ABC 7 reported the US Navy veteran was high on synthetic marijuana.

Two law enforcement officials say Rojas tested negative for alcohol, but drug tests were still pending.

He is said to have told officers he was hearing voices and expected to die, Associated Press reports.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "There is no indication that this was an act of terrorism."

Planet Hollywood worker Ken Bradix, 47, and ticket seller Alpha Balde, 57, were today identified as the two men filmed taking Rojas down.

Bradix told Mail Online: "I was laying on top of him on the small of his back and the two other guys were holding down his arms until police could get there."

A series of shocking videos have emerged showing the moment people were mowed down by the vehicle.

30 New images emerging this morning reveal the trail of destruction left by Rojas's car Credit: Getty Images

30 The Honda sedan was left ablaze in the popular tourist spot in New York Credit: Getty Images

30 Rojas was pictured in custody last night after the deadly incident in Times Square Credit: Reuters

30 The 26-year-old from the Bronx is a US Navy veteran Credit: Reuters

30 Richard Rojas, who police said was the suspected driver of the car, is led out of the NYPD Midtown South precinct in New York Credit: Reuters

30 Michigan tourist, identified by sources as Alyssa Elsman, was reportedly killed in the horror Credit: Instagram

Friend Harrison Ramos told reporters that Rojas hadn't been the same since he returned from active duty in the Navy.

He says Rojas was posting "crazy stuff" online that has since been taken down.

A Navy official says Rojas – who tried to flee police following the horror and got into a fistfight with an officer - had been discharged as the result of a special court martial.

Rojas enlisted in the Navy in 2011 and was an electrician's mate fireman apprentice. He was most recently based at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, and was discharged in 2014.

30 Richard Rojas pictured as he was detained by cops in Times Square Credit: AP:Associated Press

30 The driver was taken into custody after the lunchtime crash and was tested for alcohol Credit: Reuters

Onlookers described scenes of chaos as people panicked at the world famous tourist destination in the aftermath of the incident.

The 18-year-old victim, named as Alyssa Elsman, was visiting the Big Apple with her family, when she was struck, The New York Post reports.

Her devastated boyfriend Trevor West told the paper: "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."

Witnesses said the motorist had driven a red Honda sedan against traffic for up to three blocks before striking pedestrians on the pavement leaving four in a critical condition.

30 The horrific incident was caught on camera, with the shocked crowds seen running from the car

30 Police are not treating the incident as terror related according to reports Credit: Reuters

30 Seven people were being placed on stretchers, a Reuters witness said Credit: Reuters

30 Police investigate the vehicle that drove onto pavement and struck pedestrians in Times Square Credit: Reuters

A clip of the moment the car hit crashed into a pole and came to rest at 45th Street and Broadway has since emerged.

Shocking images obtained by TMZ show the wild-eyed driver in the moments after the horror.

The disturbing pictures show the motorist with his arms outstretched and running.

A second image shows him pinned against a wall by cops looking straight at the camera.

Officials said Rojas was arrested in 2008 and 2015 for driving under the influence, and in 2016 for menacing in different areas of New York.

"He's just mowing down people," said Asa Lowe, of Brooklyn, who was standing outside a store when he heard screaming. "He didn't stop. He just kept going."

30 A law enforcement official says a car that ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians in Times Square killed one person and injured about 22 others Credit: Rex Features

30 Emergency services tend to an injured pedestrian after a vehicle struck pedestrians on a pavement in New York Credit: Rex Features

30 Witnesses said the motorist had driven a red Honda sedan against traffic and onto the sidewalk, striking pedestrians Credit: EPA

30 Firefighters on the scene in Times Square where a car has ploughed into pedestrians Credit: p_huddy913 Instagram

30 Richard Rojas, 26, was led away in cuffs after he sped in the wrong direction down a one-way street Credit: Reuters

Eyewitness Josh Duboff said: "People were being hit and rolling off the car."

Television footage showed police officers restraining a man in a dark T-shirt and placing him in a police car.

Cheryl Howard and her daughter were out shopping when the car sped down the sidewalk. "I'm so freaked out!" the daughter said. "They mowed everyone down."

A British tourist has described the absolute horror of today’s Times Square road smash carnage.

The woman, who only gave her name as Jo, was at the New York landmark with her partner and mother-in-law at the time of the horrific incident.

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She told the Sun Online: “It was the most awful thing I’ve ever seen. I was in Foot Locker on Times Square at the time and heard a huge bang.

“We thought there had been an explosion, it was a huge bang and I saw a woman land on the pavement outside Skechers.

“I looked outside and saw the woman on the pavement. Her body was all twisted and she was screaming for help."

Tourists Patrick and Kelly Graves of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were waiting to get on a tour bus when they heard the crash.

Kelly said she feared the worst, maybe a bomb, as "chaos" erupted and people began running.

People rushed to help the injured, who were lying on the pavement.

30 A suspect is arrested at the scene in Time Square, New York this afternoon

30 The scene in Times Square today after a car ploughed into pedestrians Credit: PA:Press Association

30 Emergency workers treat a victim in Times Square, New York today Credit: EPA

The New York Police Department closed down the area in midtown Manhattan as pictures emerged of scattered clothing and a pedestrian wrapped in blooded blankets.

As ambulances descended on the area police said the incident was not being treated as a terror attack.

Press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted that President Trump was briefed before New York authorities confirmed the death.

Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them visitors from around the world, pass daily through the bustling commercial area, the heart of the Broadway theatre district.

Many parts of Times Square and surrounding streets are lined with metal posts designed to prevent cars from getting onto the pavements and other public areas.

That network of barricades, though, is far from a complete defence.

Times Square also has a heavy police presence at all hours of the day and night.

30 The pavements in many parts of Times Square and surrounding streets are lined with metal posts designed to prevent cars from getting onto them Credit: Reuters

30 The maroon-colored Honda sedan came to rest with two of its wheels in the air Credit: EPA

30 The White House said President Donald Trump has been "made aware" of the situation in Times Square Credit: Alamy

30 The New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner James O'Neill (C) addresses a news conference at the scene of the car crash incident at Times Square in New York City Credit: Alamy

The maroon-coloured Honda sedan came to rest with two of its wheels in the air, leaning on a lamppost and steel barriers intended to block vehicles from getting onto the pavement.

Video posted online showed steam or smoke pouring from the car for a few moments after it stopped moving.

Seven people were being placed on stretchers, a Reuters witness said.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio said: "Based on the information we have at this moment, there is no indication that this was an act of terrorism.

"This is a tough day for New York City, but I want to thank our first responders who got here so quickly.

"We feel deeply for those injured and particularly for the family of the young woman who was lost. Our prayers are with all of them."

The New York Fire Department said that four people were in a critical condition, three were seriously hurt and 15 were "less serious".

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