Saw Mill River Parkway Reopens After Police Chase Creates Traffic Nightmare
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBNSNewYork) -- One suspect is dead and another is in custody after a police chase ended in a crash in Westchester County.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, wreckage was removed, and lanes were just reopening after road closures caused a traffic nightmare.
In the darkness, the traffic jam glowed like a river of light. Drivers were stuck and using technology to try to break free.
"Wow, there was just a lot of traffic. I just fire up one of the apps and it said 'get out!'" Mike Schriebman said.
The NYPD said the incident began around 11:45 Tuesday morning after two men in a silver Nissan sports car took off during a traffic stop at 242nd Street and Broadway in the Bronx.
"Obviously they weren't attempting to stop the vehicle for no reason," Westchester Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth said. "There's various violations and the matter is still under investigation -- we're still putting all the pieces together."
The police chased the suspects northbound up the Henry Hudson Parkway, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
At one point during the chase, the suspects turned around in the middle of the parkway, driving southbound in the northbound lane, according to officials. The suspects hit several cars during the turnaround, with one person injured.
"Whether they saw other police vehicles ahead, they made a u-turn and came down in a northbound lane colliding with several other civilian vehicles," George Longworth, Westchester County Public Safety Commissioner, said.
The chase ended in a crash on the Saw Mill River Parkway near McLean Avenue in Yonkers, where one car could be seen pinned between two police vehicles, CBS2's Jim Smith reported.
Police rolled up on the Nissan and found Akeem Mark Smith, 25, of Yonkers injured inside.
The second suspect escaped. Miguel Espinal, 36, ran into Tibbetts Brook Park and prompted a manhunt for the suspect. Westchester County police and the NYPD were both involved in the manhunt.
Police entered an altercation with Espinal about 100 feet away from the highway and was shot and killed by police, CBS2 reported.
"NYPD officers pursued and a confrontation ensued," Longworth said. "One shot was discharged from one of the New York City police officer's weapon, killing a second suspect in the wooded area."
Two NYPD officers were treated for trauma.
Police have been searching, but haven't found a weapon. It appears Espinal was unarmed. He was wanted on open warrants from Florida for burglary and assault.
The Saw Mill River Parkway was closed in both directions during the incident. The southbound lanes of the parkway had reopened by 9:30 Tuesday night. Northbound lanes reopened shortly after 10 p.m.
Tibbetts Brook Park will remain closed through the night as police continue investigating the incident. Officials expect the park to reopen Wednesday morning.
