An off-duty NYPD officer died after a car crash with a Parks Department garbage truck in the Bronx Wednesday morning, the department said.
Brian Kessler was driving home to New Rochelle after working a security shift at NYPD headquarters in lower Manhattan when he collided head-on with the truck on Shore Road, near Pelhamdale Avenue, at about 8:20 a.m., officials said.
Kessler, who was engaged, was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced dead.
"We would like to thank members of the NYPD and FDNY for their quick response, as well as the staff here at Jacobi Hospital for all that was done in an attempt to save our officer," Assistant Chief Larry Nikunen said at an afternoon news conference. "I would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Kessler family and the extended NYPD family for their loss."
At a lost for words, but appreciative of all the love and support for our brother Brian, his family and my beloved command. Thank you, thank you, thank you. pic.twitter.com/v4FGi5tgLB
— NYPD Housing PSA 8 (@NYPDPSA8) January 17, 2019
The 28-year-old Bronx housing officer was only on the job for about three months, Chief of Housing James Secreto said at the news conference.
“He was well-liked,” Secreto said. “A lot of his colleagues are distraught, as could be expected.”
Investigators believe both vehicles were moving at the time of the crash, but their speeds were under investigation, NYPD Highway Inspector Steven D’Ulisse said.
Two Parks Department employees who were in the truck had minor injuries, Nikunen said. The driver stayed at the scene.
Members of the Police Benevolent Association “are deeply saddened” by Kessler’s death, union president Patrick Lynch said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kessler family, his fiancé and all his NYPD colleagues,” Lynch said in a statement.
