NY Special Prosecutors Probe Police-Involved Shooting In Yonkers
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York special prosecutors are overseeing the investigation into the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old man in a police confrontation in Westchester County.
The unit was formed after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order in July authorizing the attorney general to investigate deaths of unarmed civilians in encounters with law enforcement, citing public perceptions that local prosecutors are too close with police.
Westchester authorities say Miguel Espinal, of Queens, died Tuesday when an officer's gun discharged in a struggle after Espinal led police on a high-speed car chase from the Bronx into Yonkers, crashed into several vehicles on the Saw Mill River Parkway and ran into Tibbetts Brook Park. Police say no gun was recovered from the suspect, WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported.
Cops found suspect Akeem Mark Smith, 25, of Yonkers, injured inside the car.
Espinal was wanted on open warrants from Florida for burglary and assault.
The Saw Mill River Parkway was closed in both directions during the 11:45 a.m. incident. The southbound lanes of the parkway had reopened by 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Northbound lanes reopened shortly after 10 p.m.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's unit has also been investigating the death of 42-year-old Raynette Turner, who died in July in a Mount Vernon police holding cell.
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