NYPD officers abandoned suspect to die in burning SUV after police chase crash, suspended
Two NYPD police officers were patrolling the Bronx’s 50th precinct at 5 AM on Wednesday morning when they spotted a 2025 Honda CR-V they suspected was stolen. They turned on their lights and sirens and signaled it to pull over. The driver of the CR-V fled instead. The officers chased it.
So far, so good. But a former NYPD Chief has described what the two officers did next as “potentially criminal.”
The two NYPD officers didn’t announce they were in the midst of a chase over their radios to alert other nearby police units. They didn’t even radio a supervisor to confirm they should continue the high speed pursuit. This cowboy-like choice was dangerious and irresponsible. Perhaps the police officers were just too busy with the pursuit. But then things get worse.
The CR-V drove onto the Henry Hudson Parkway and raced south. Then, it attempted to exit onto Dyckman Street. The driver lost control, smashing into a pole. The crossover burst into flames.
When NYPD officers sworn to protect and serve, don’t
The two officers didn’t jump out to help. They didn’t even call an ambulance. The two officers flipped off their lights, turned around, and drove back to the 50th precinct. They finished their shift without a word to their supervisor about the incident.
The driver of the Honda CR-V died.
PBA President Patrick Hendry was quick to say 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.”
The Attorney General added that during the investigation “The two officers who were involved in that incident have been suspended pending review of the incident.”
Terry Monahan, former NYPD Chief of Department put it bluntly: “It is an ultimate responsibility of a police officer to protect life…our job is to save lives.” He added that if the officers had truly witnessed a vehicle on fire, with a suspect potentially trapped inside, and left they committed “a complete dereliction of duty.” You can see the latest coverage of the incident by NBC New York in the video embedded below:
