Horror in New York's Times Square as car rams into pedestrians killing one and injuring 22

A car has rammed into pedestrians in New York City's busy Times Square, with one person dead and 22 injured.

Richard Rojas, 26, of the Bronx, has been named as the man who drove a maroon sedan at pedestrians, knocking them over near the intersection of 45th street and Broadway.

Rojas, who had two prior arrests for drink driving, was reportedly high on marijuana after telling officers he had smoked the drug earlier today.

Witnesses said the vehicle drove against traffic and on to the sidewalk about noon after entering the district around 42nd street and driving north.

One woman, 18, died and 22 people were injured, some critical, authorities have confirmed while describing the incident as "isolated" and not terrorism-related.

Photos from the scene have shown injured people on pedestrian crossings and the sidewalk being treated by authorities and bystanders.

The vehicle is said to have crashed into a pole or bollard before being attended to be firefighters.

A witness stopped the driver from fleeing and with help from another bystander pinned him down and held him for police, a journalist at the scene said.

Shocking photos from the scene show Rojas fleeing the car after he ran down and killed one woman, 18, and injured 22 others.

Wearing jeans and brown t shirt, he is shown running across a pedestrian crossing screaming as his vehicle is slammed into a pole behind him.

One person in a red shirt is on the ground near the vehicle while a terrified woman walks with a little girl just metres from the driver.

Officers and bystanders apprehended him.

The driver appeared to be drunk or on drugs, the New York Times reported quoting a law enforcement official, adding the man had a history of DWI arrests.