Yonkers teen indicted in crash that killed on-duty Yonkers officer last December
The teen was arraigned on a charge of criminally negligent homicide before Westchester County Judge Helen Blackwood, in the youth part of criminal court in White Plains.
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A 16-year-old Yonkers teen was charged with criminally negligent homicide for a crash last December that killed a veteran Yonkers police officer who was on duty.
The teen was arraigned in the youth part of Westchester County Court Monday afternoon.
In a video released by police, a BMW M5 is seen speeding and swerving through traffic on Tuckahoe Road before losing control and striking Sgt. Frank Gualdino's car and a Bee-Line Bus.
Gualdino, 53, was a 24-year veteran of the department and was set to retire in August.
The teen defendant also had to spend several months in the hospital as a result of the crash.
In the courtroom, the defendant's attorney said he surrendered to police Monday and voluntarily gave up his passport.
He entered a not guilty plea, and the judge set his bail at $5,000.
Gualdino's widow and several Yonkers police officers were present in the courtroom. Detective captain of the Yonkers CLSA, Michael Hanley, also attended the arraignment.
"This unfortunately was a tragic incident that resulted in a tremendous loss for the Yonkers Police Department, but most importantly the loss of a loving father and husband for the Gualdino family," Hanley said.
Hanley remembered his fallen brother as a "great guy."
"[He was a] loving father, tremendous guy to work with," Hanley said.
The teen is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 15.
Hanley says Yonkers CLSA plans to support the Gualdino family during their time of need.
"Whatever they ask, whatever they need of us, we're just trying to be there," Hanley said.
On Thursday, Westchester County Legislator James Nolan announced his support for renaming the Tuckahoe Road overpass bridge in the fallen sergeant's honor.
