Introduction to the Incident
Two NYPD officers from the Bronx’s 50th Precinct have been suspended without pay amid an investigation into a police chase and fiery crash in Manhattan, according to multiple high-ranking law enforcement sources.
Details of the Chase
Multiple high-ranking law enforcement sources say the officers, with emergency lights on, were chasing the driver of a stolen Honda SUV on the Henry Hudson Parkway just before 5 a.m. Wednesday, when the driver got off on Dyckman Street, lost control and smashed into a pole. The SUV erupted in flames. The driver died.
Actions of the Officers
Law enforcement sources said that when officers approached the crashed vehicle, they turned off their emergency lights. Instead of helping, the officers left the scene of the crash. Then they returned to the 50th Precinct without reporting the incident and finished their shifts, the sources say. The driver of the stolen Honda has not been identified, but is believed to be part of a stolen car ring.
Investigation Underway
The NYPD confirmed an investigation was underway.
"That incident is currently under review by our Force Investigation Division and the Attorney General’s office," the department said in a statement. "The two officers who were involved in that incident have been suspended pending review of the incident."
Statement from the Attorney General’s Office
The attorney general’s office also confirmed it is investigating.
Reaction from the PBA President
In a statement, PBA President Patrick Hendry said the officers "were on patrol, attempting to address chronic crime conditions in their precinct. This incident is under investigation, and that investigation must be completed without any rush to judgement."
Conclusion
The suspension of the two NYPD officers and the ongoing investigation highlight the seriousness with which such incidents are treated. The actions of the officers have raised questions about protocol and the handling of emergency situations, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and potential review of police procedures.
FAQs
- Q: What happened during the police chase?
A: The officers were chasing a stolen Honda SUV on the Henry Hudson Parkway. The driver lost control, crashed, and the vehicle erupted in flames, resulting in the driver’s death. - Q: What actions are being taken against the officers involved?
A: The two officers have been suspended without pay pending the investigation. - Q: Is the incident being investigated?
A: Yes, the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division and the Attorney General’s office are investigating the incident. - Q: What was the response from the PBA President?
A: The PBA President emphasized that the officers were addressing chronic crime conditions and called for the investigation to be completed without rush to judgement.
