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Alyssa Elsman was named as the 18-year-old woman who died after suspected drug-driver, New Yorker Richard Rojas, ploughed into pedestrians in New York's Times Square. Scenes of carnage unfolded at the famous landmark after Rojas careered onto the pavement into crowds. People were left lying on the pavement covered in blood, with shoes and personal effects scattered in the road. Horrific images showed people laying on the ground, including the girl with her face covered by a blanket. His victims were left with fractures, multiple traumas, cuts and bruises after they were hit by the Honda as it tore through the heart of New York. Driver Rojas is feared to been high and under the influence of mind-altering drugs while behind the wheel. New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed 22 people are injured, including four people who remain in a critical condition. The dead woman's 13-year-old sister is among the wounded.

GETTY • EPA • REUTERS At least 20 people have been injured after a car hit pedestrians in Times Square

One injured pedestrian told Reuters the driver’s actions appeared to be “intentional” and he was seen driving in the wrong direction before smashing into pedestrians. Rojas, 26, a former member of the armed forces, was arrested at the scene and was being tested for intoxication. Initial tests have reportedly come back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs. It is thought he was under the influence of drugs, and was high on synthetic cannabis K2 at the time of the incident. Ken Bradix, who works at Planet Hollywood, told Associated Press: "He began screaming, no particular words but just utter screaming. “He was swinging his arms at the same time. There was something wrong with him."

Speeding car ploughs into pedestrians in Times Square Thu, May 18, 2017 A driver has driven a vehicle into crowds in New York's Times Square, leaving at least one person dead Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 11 Emergency services tend to the injured

Rojas is said to have been arrested earlier this month after threatening a man with a knife, and was also arrested in 2015 and 2008 for drink-driving. It is also reported he spent two months in a military prison in 2013, but it is unclear what the charges were. Harrison Ramos, who lives in Mr Rojas's building in the Bronx, said: "He went through a real tough time. “Don't make him out to be a terrorist or something. He served his country and when he came back, nobody helped him. "That's my friend. I care about him, and it hurts."

REUTERS A woman is surrounded on the ground in Times Square as she is cared for by others

Rojas was surrounded by officers and marched across the road, appearing to be injured. Officers then forced him into the back of the car. As Rojas was arrested he told police "I wanted to kill them all", according to the New York Post. Sources told the newspaper Rojas shouted at police: "You were supposed to shoot me. I wanted to kill them."

TWITTER Terror in New York as car hits pedestrians: Emergency services on scene

Rojas drove up Seventh Avenue before performing a U-turn and driving the wrong way for three blocks, before crashing into a into a pole before coming to rest at 45th Street and Broadway. He left a trail of destruction in his path as he knocked pedestrians over like skittles. The car, a red Honda Accord, then burst into flames as firefighters rushed to put it out and prevent more people being injured. FBI officers have been called in to investigate but said the incident did not appear to be terrorist related.

REUTERS New York in terror as victims lay injured on the ground

REUTERS Terror in New York: Pedestrians stop to help those hit by the car

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". President Donald Trump was "made aware of the situation in Times Square and will continue to receive updates", his spokesman Sean Spicer said.

REUTERS New York terror as police rush to understand how car ended up hitting pedestrians

A witness told Sky News: “I was on my way to a business meeting and I came up on the gruesome scene - victims on the sidewalk and the street. “I saw head injuries and blood and a victim not moving then I knew it was much more serious.” He claimed the NYPD were on the scene quickly and the area was swiftly evacuated.

Witnesses have described their own narrow misses with the vehicle. Josh Duboff, an employee at the adjacent Thomson Reuters headquarters said: ”People were being hit and rolling off the car.” Among the 23 victims was tourist Ms Elsman who tragically died while on holiday in the Big Apple with her family. Her boyfriend, Trevor West, paid tribute to his girlfriend. 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." The crash took place near the headquarters of the Reuters news agency, 3 Times Square. Building foreman Rodney Muir said he heard what sounded like a big bang and crunching metal. He said he looked out and saw what appeared to be a body lying on the street in front of the building.

TWITTER Car pictured in Times Square after hitting pedestrians in Times Square

Cheryl Howard and her daughter were out shopping when the car sped down the sidewalk. Her daughter said: ”I’m so freaked out!They mowed everyone down." Mrs Howard had blood dripping down her right arm and a swollen bruise above her left eye. One injured woman nearby had a large open wound on her leg. More than 300,000 people, many of them tourists, pass through Times Square every day, according to its official website.

GETTY Witnesses have said people were 'screaming and running' away from Times Square