Categories: US News

Groom killed in wrong-way NYC crash just a day before wedding. Bride says: ‘I’d be in my wedding dress right now’

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.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.

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