On August 24, 2024, in the early morning, a horrific wrong-way collision occurred on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City, claiming the lives of Kirk Walker Jr., 38, and his cousin, Robert McLaurin, 40. The two men were returning from Walker’s bachelor party when their Dodge Challenger was hit by a pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction. The tragic accident took place just a day before Walker was set to wed his fiancée, Shauntea Weaver.
The accident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. as Walker and McLaurin were driving north on the parkway near West 154th Street. A pickup truck, traveling south in the northbound lanes, collided with their car. The two men were declared dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck escaped on foot, but a 22-year-old passenger was taken into custody and transported to the hospital in stable condition. The crash also involved at least two other cars besides the Dodge Challenger, with two individuals from an Audi S3 being taken to the hospital for injuries.
Stricken with grief, Weaver spoke to the press, recounting the wedding plans that would never come to pass. “I was supposed to be in my wedding dress right now, not mourning,” she expressed. The couple had planned a grand celebration for the next day at the Royal Manor in Garfield, New Jersey. Instead, their loved ones came together for a candlelight vigil in Walker’s honor.
Walker, recognized for his kindness and dedication to work, ran a prosperous car rental business with Weaver. As a loving father to three children, his untimely death has left his family in shock. Friends and family members were deeply affected by the incident. Walker’s mother, who had intended to wear a “Mother of the Groom” T-shirt at the wedding, attended the vigil in deep sorrow over the loss of her son.
Weaver shared her belief that she and Walker were meant to be together for life, and the profound shock and dismay filled the gathering. The family remains resolute in their quest for justice. Walker’s father, Kirk Walker Sr., insisted that the search for justice wasn’t over, making a solemn pledge that the driver would have to confront him directly.
McLaurin, who journeyed from North Carolina for his cousin’s wedding, was remembered for his kindness and strong ties to family. His mother described him as a purposeful man, always ready to assist others. The loss of both men has left a tremendous gap in their families’ lives, who now face a daunting future without them.
Police are continuing their search for the driver behind the fatal crash. As the investigation progresses, the community stands together in mourning, lighting candles and releasing white balloons to honor the two men whose lives had a significant impact on those around them.
This incident marks the second fatal wrong-way collision in the region in the past few weeks. On August 22, a child was killed in a similar event on the Southern State Parkway on Long Island.
