Rare supercar in high-speed crash on the empty streets of New York City

While all of New York City remains in lockdown amid the widespread coronavirus outbreak, one driver flouted the 'shelter in place' advice this week with disastrous consequences.

The owner of a rare modified Porsche Carrera GT, known as the Gemballa Mirage GT, spectacularly wrecked the car in a series of crashes in the heart of Manhattan early on Tuesday morning.

Photos from the scene of the crashes, which occurred down 11th Avenue, were posted to social media, showing half of the car's front bonnet, front bumper and windshield torn open.

This image and lead image via Instagram user @ronniecynyc

Concerned onlookers and nearby security cameras also captured footage of the crashes which quickly surfaced online, showing the car moving at great speed when it hit a minivan parked on the side of the road.

Video shows the driver attempted to drive off after rear-ending the minivan, proceeding to crash into three more vehicles before being stopped by a New York state trooper.

German tuning house Gemballa, which specialises in making modified Porsches and McLarens, only ever produced 25 examples of the 2014 Gemballa Mirage GT, which boasts a 493kW/630Nm naturally aspirated 5.7-litre V10 engine.

The car is capable of a top speed of more than 335km/h and is estimated to be worth USD$750,000, or AU$1.2 million.

The owner of the Gemballa Mirage GT was identified by US media outlets as Benjamin Chen, a 33-year-old supercar collector.

According to the New York Daily News, Chen was charged with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

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