Yonkers Police Commissioner: Initial Investigation Shows Officers Not At Fault In Fatal Crash
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- While the investigation into the police chase in Yonkers that resulted in the death of a woman continues, police Commissioner Charles Gardner said it appears the officers were not at fault.
"The evidence does not suggest any reckless conduct or violation of procedure on the part of the officers involved," Gardner said.
Teacher Sharlene Stinson, 46, was killed Monday when her Hyundai Sonata was hit by a van driven by two teens, police said.
Gardner said the ordeal began when a 911 caller reported several teens trying to break into parking meters.
Police spotted a van nearby that they believed was also stolen and tried to pull it over, 1010 WINS' Darius Radzius reported. Instead, the vehicle fled, police said.
"You have a stolen van allegedly involved in criminal activity driving in a reckless manor," Gardner said.
The chase ended when the teenage suspects crashed into Stinson's car.
Stinson's boyfriend and 6-year-old son were devastated.
"I love her. You know, I miss her," Justo Kelly said, "It's hard, you know. He asks about his mother every day. He asks me about his mother every day. Pain, you know."
Police policy in Yonkers prohibits pursuits if it puts the public in danger, Radzius reported. Gardner said the officers were not close to the van.
"It did not appear to be high-speed. It was a high-traffic volume. There were cars stopped at the intersection," he said.
The teens were critically injured. So far, no arrests have been made.