Off-Duty NYPD Officer Charged in Fatal DWI Crash
- New York
Andrew Kelly, 30, seven-year veteran of the NYPD, was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated after he struck and killed Vionique Valnord, 32, in a early morning crash at the corner of Ave. N and E. 56th St. in Old Mill Basin.
Valnord, the daughter of Brooklyn Pastor Varius Valnord, was leaving a wedding over which her father had presided at the American Legion Hall and hailing a cab when Kelly’s Jeep Grand Cherokee mowed her down around 1 am Sunday morning. According to police and witnesses, Valnord suffered massive injuries and later died at King’s County Hospital.
“The officers who responded to that accident detected a smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at morning news conference.
The accident is under investigation as police interview witnesses and passengers in Kelly’s vehicle, including another off-duty NYPD officer. They will also try to determine if the night’s rain and fog played a role in the accident.
New York City has a higher rate of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents that the rest of the state combined. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 2007 Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents, of 15,127 police reported accidents involving a pedestrian in the state of New York, 10,586 or 70% were investigated by the New York City Police Department. Of those investigated by the NYPD, people in 10,445 accidents suffered injuries and 136 were fatal.
The attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP are experienced in handling motor vehicle accident cases and can help you negotiate with the insurance carrier or help you to arrange specialized medical care. We can also help you prepare for the possibility of taking your case to court. If you, a family member or someone you know, have been the victim of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, contact us today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to take to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Call 1-888-529-4669 or visit www.napolibern.com.
Sources:
http://ny1.com/content/top_stories/default.aspx?ArID=106427
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents 2007
found at http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/stats.htm
