3 months ago
17
A 17-year-old from
Long Island
, accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run that killed a groom hours before his wedding in Harlem, New York City, was nabbed at the
Canadian border
a day after the incident.
Connors was arrested while attempting to cross into Canada without identification, raising suspicions due to visible injuries. Canadian authorities observed he had cuts and bruises on his face, a large bruise on his stomach, bloodstains on his shirt, and was limping.
A Canadian official identified Connors from photos showing him fleeing the scene of the deadly crash.
The accident, which occurred on August 24 and involved a
Chevy Silverado
with Ontario plates, killed 38-year-old Kirk Walker just 38 hours before his wedding. Walker's cousin, Rob McLaurin, was also killed in the crash. Connors is accused of driving on the wrong side of the Henry Hudson Parkway in Upper Manhattan around 2:20 am, crashing his pickup truck into the car carrying Walker and McLaurin.
'Very weak case'
Connors was later arrested in New York City and appeared in
Manhattan Criminal Court
, where he was ordered to be held without bail.
The teenager's attorney, Jonathan Perez, said Connors pleaded not guilty, arguing that "he wasn’t involved or the culprit."
Perez
said that he believes others may have been involved in the accident and described the case as "very weak." He also highlighted Connors' health issues, including autism and epilepsy, and said his client requires medication.
Perez further claimed that Connors, "a 17-year-old child," may have been exploited by others involved in the crash. He noted that Connors' role in the incident remains unclear.
The attorney criticised the police for interviewing Connors without a lawyer, parent, or guardian present.
Connors' family has reportedly traveled from overseas to support him.
'I’m supposed to be in my wedding dress...'
Walker’s fiancée, Shauntea Weaver, expressed her heartbreak, telling The Post, "I’m supposed to be in my wedding dress right now — not in mourning." She called for Connors to be held accountable, stating, "He killed two genuine, good people... He recklessly took Kirk’s life and ruined mine."
Weaver added that Connors' arrest is just the first step toward justice for her fiancé. While his capture brings some relief, she stressed the long road ahead in seeking justice. Weaver and Walker, a father of three from Manhattan, were set to marry in a New Jersey wedding before the fatal accident.
Hearing on Monday
A detention hearing for Connors is scheduled for Monday. The district attorney plans to charge Connors as an adult, but his attorney intends to challenge this decision.
