A groom-to-be was tragically killed in a wrong-way crash in Manhattan early Saturday, just one day before his wedding, leaving his devastated fiancée grappling with what should have been the happiest day of her life.
“I’m supposed to be in my wedding dress right now — not in mourning,” said a heartbroken Shauntea Weaver, 40, on Sunday. Weaver’s fiancé, Kirk Walker, 38, and his cousin, Rob McLaurin, 40, were killed when their Dodge Challenger was struck head-on by a pickup truck driving the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway in Harlem.
Walker, who had been celebrating his bachelor party, and McLaurin died at the scene, turning their car into a mangled wreck near West 154th Street. The couple was set to marry at the Royal Manor in Garfield, New Jersey, later that day.
The ceremony has been canceled, confirmed by a catering hall representative, due to the “fatal crash.” Weaver expressed her profound grief, saying, “Our ceremony was supposed to be at 5 p.m. today — in a few hours. He died 24 hours before our wedding. It’s devastating, not just for me but for his three children who loved him dearly.”
Weaver described Walker as a generous and hardworking man who had invested deeply in their successful car rental business. Now, she is seeking justice for his untimely death.
“The detectives assured me they would do everything possible to seek justice,” Weaver said. “They have DNA from the airbags, and the passenger, who is in the hospital with broken legs, needs to come forward. Two lives were lost in this reckless crash; they need to be held accountable.”
Neighbors and friends remembered Walker fondly, with Tommy Lee noting his family-oriented and helpful nature. The community was stunned by the news of his death, with some expressing disbelief and sorrow.
Social media posts highlighted the profound impact of Walker’s death, with family members struggling to transition from wedding plans to funeral arrangements. The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene, though the passenger was apprehended nearby and taken to the hospital. It remains unclear if any charges have been filed.
