Police say two New York City officers have been placed under administrative arrest while officials investigate whether they improperly pursued an ATV last week before it collided with an 18-wheeler. , killing the driver of the ATV and his passengers, police said.
The officers, Niketas Janios and Marya Cardona Quintero, were stripped of their guns and shields following the crash early Friday in Long Island City, Queens. Police said the ATV was driving the wrong way on Queensboro Bridge when the crash happened.
The collision occurred weeks after Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell Notify the Police Department is increasing enforcement on illegal dirt bikes and ATVs – part of a campaign to crack down on quality of life violations Mr. favored under his predecessor.
“For years, these dirt bikes have raced through the streets, not only annoying New Yorkers, but breaking the law and endangering lives,” the mayor said in a statement. at the time of notification in June.
Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the mayor, said the details of the crash were under investigation.
Police said the ATV involved in the crash went the wrong way on the lower road east of Queensboro Bridge shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday. It collided with a Freightliner truck, pushing 22-year-old ATV driver, Angel Lopez of the Bronx and his passenger, whom police did not release.
Mr. Lopez died at the scene, and his passenger was pronounced dead at NewYork Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital. The 36-year-old truck driver remained at the scene but was not charged, police said.
One man said he went with Mr. Lopez afterwards told The New York Daily News that the police were chasing the ATV before the crash.
Julian Phillips, the police’s top spokesman, said the collision was being investigated by the Force Investigations Division.
If investigators find fault in the conduct of officers who work at Site 108, they could face disciplinary action ranging from warnings to loss of leave or dismissal.
Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, the officers’ association, criticized Sunday’s decision to discipline officers.
“The NYPD needs to decide if enforcing quality of life issues is really a priority,” he said. “These police and police officers across the city have been asked to prioritize getting illegal bicycles and ATVs off the streets, because the community is sick of them. They should not be punished for doing the job they were sent to do. “
Police Department policy allows officers to pursue vehicles when necessary to apprehend a suspect, and officers are required to notify radio dispatchers and patrol supervisors immediately when they start chasing. But officers were told to end the chase when the risk to the public or themselves outweighed the benefits of a quick arrest.
When the mayor announced the crackdown, police said that between January 1 and June 16 of this year, officers seized 1,921 dirt bikes and ATVs, compared with 1,022 over the same period in 2021. – an increase of nearly 88%.
Off-road vehicles lack safety equipment and are illegal in New York City, where motorists can still be seen weaving through sidewalks and street traffic or navigating the roads. great.
They are often involved in collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles, and they generate 311 complaints about negligent driving and noise. Police say criminals also use the vehicle to commit violent crimes such as shooting and robbery.
