The driver of the vehicle is believed to be US navy veteran Richard Rojas who was allegedly intoxicated while at the wheel.
The car, a burgundy Honda sedan thought to have been driven by Rojas, jumped the kerb at 45th Street and Broadway at 11:55 local time (15:55 GMT) and drove at high speed for three blocks before crashing into a pole.
Alyssa Elsman, an 18-year-old tourist from Michigan, was killed and her 13-year-old sister is among the 22 people hurt during the incident, Sky News reports.
Rojas has been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and multiple counts of attempted murder, BBC News reports.
He is expected to appear in court later today (May 19).
