In the early hours of August 25, 2024, a devastating wrong-way crash on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City, claimed the lives of Kirk Walker Jr., 38, a groom-to-be, and his cousin, Robert McLaurin, 40. The two men were heading home from Walker’s bachelor party when their Dodge Challenger was struck head-on by a pickup truck traveling the wrong way. The crash occurred just one day before Walker was set to marry his fiancée, Shauntea Weaver.
The collision happened around 2:30 a.m. as Walker and McLaurin drove northbound on the parkway near West 154th Street. A pickup truck, heading south in the northbound lanes, slammed into their vehicle. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck fled on foot, leaving behind a 22-year-old passenger who tried to flee but was found by police and transported to the hospital where he is reportedly in stable condition. At least two other cars were wrecked in the crash, in addition to the Dodge Challenger. Two people in an Audi S3 were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Weaver, heartbroken and overwhelmed by grief, spoke to reporters, recalling the wedding plans that would never come to fruition. “I was supposed to be in my wedding dress right now, not mourning,” she said. The couple had organized a large celebration for the following day at the Royal Manor in Garfield, New Jersey. Instead of celebrating, their loved ones gathered for a candlelight vigil in Walker’s memory.
Walker, known for his generosity and work ethic, co-owned a successful car rental business with Weaver. A loving father of three children, his death has left his family shattered. Friends and relatives were deeply affected by the tragedy. Walker’s mother, who had planned to wear a “Mother of the Groom” T-shirt at the wedding, instead attended the vigil, devastated by the loss of her son.
Weaver expressed that she and Walker were meant to spend their lives together, and the profound sense of injustice filled the gathering. The family remains determined to seek justice. Walker’s father, Kirk Walker Sr., made clear that the pursuit for justice wasn’t over, vowing that the driver would have to face him directly.
McLaurin, who had traveled from North Carolina for his cousin’s wedding, was remembered for his kindness and strong family bonds. His mother described him as a man with a deep purpose, always willing to help others. The deaths of both men have left a deep void in their families’ lives, who now face an unimaginable future without them.
Authorities are continuing their search for the driver responsible for the crash. As the investigation continues, the community remains united in their grief, lighting candles and releasing white balloons to honor the two men who left a lasting impact on those around them.
This marks the second fatal wrong-way crash in the area this week. On Thursday, August 22, a young boy lost his life in a similar incident on the Southern State Parkway on Long Island.