Good Samaritans, cops took down Times Square driver

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - A man who was in Times Square when a vehicle plowed into pedestrians Thursday killing one person and injuring 20 others says he and a group of men chased after the driver to stop him.

Jared Sabater told Fox 5 News that he was one of at least seven men who ran after Richard Rojas, 26, as he attempted to get away.

"There were about 7 to 8 guys that couldn't hold him. That's when the police arrived and we backed down. He was a big boy. A big-boned boy," said Sabater.

Sabater says he was nearly hit by the vehicle before he took chase.

"I jumped. I was shaken," said Sabater.

Ken Badix, a bouncer at Planet Hollywood, also helped subdue Rojas until police could handcuff him.

The NYPD praised the men and police officer's heroics on Friday.

"Everybody came together to stop him from doing anymore damage to the city," said NYPD Chief of Manhattan South Detectives William Aubry.

Rojas was arrested and was being tested for drugs and alcohol by the NYPD. He was identified as a Navy veteran with two prior arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Witnesses said Rojas appeared to be intoxicated and was driving the wrong way and on a sidewalk for three blocks in the crowded tourist hotspot in Midtown Manhattan.

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