New York police cruiser involved in car accident

Five people, including two police officers, were injured following a serious crash in Queens on the afternoon of April 11, according to local sources. The car accident involved a New York City police cruiser, a truck and a parked vehicle, sources have confirmed. All five people suffered from non-life-threatening injuries. 

According to the accident report, police from the 113th Precinct were operating a marked patrol vehicle when they struck a food delivery truck close to 130th Avenue. The patrol car sustained serious front-end damage. It is unclear which of the two vehicles precipitated the car accident. 

The damage was so bad that first responders had to take off the roof of the police vehicle in order to free the officers from the wreck. The truck involved also struck a parked vehicle, reportedly spilling several crates of cupcakes in the meantime. The officers and three other injured parties were rushed to a local hospital, but all are expected to make a full recovery. 

Depending on the outcome of the New York police investigation into this crash, the officer driving the marked vehicle or the driver of the delivery truck could face charges if either of the two drivers are found to have had a hand in the car accident. In addition, the injured parties could be entitled to filed personal injury lawsuits against the party responsible. If this turns out to be the New York police officer, the lawsuit could be extended to encompass the New York police department. No criminal conviction is required for these civil charges to be filed, or even to be won. 

Source: New York Post, “NYPD cruiser crashes into truck, sends cupcakes everywhere“, Kenneth Garger, April 12, 2016