One person was killed and about 22 injured after a speeding car crashed into a crowded pavement in

But an injured pedestrian told Reuters that the driver's actions appeared to have been "intentional."

The vehicle was said to have jumped the kerb at 7th Avenue and 45th St near the city;s popular tourist spot.

Witnesses told the news agency that the motorist was driving against traffic before his burgundy Honda sedan mounted the sidewalk and struck pedestrians.

"People were being hit and rolling off the car," a witness, Josh Duboff said.

Another witness said he saw seven people being loaded onto stretchers, shoes scattered around the scene and one person covered in a bloodstained blanket.

Police have identified the motorist as Richard Rojas, 26, of New York.

City officials said the dead woman was 18 years old.