NYPD officer killed in 2-vehicle crash with garbage truck in the Bronx
PELHAM BAY, Bronx (WABC) -- An off-duty NYPD officer was killed in a horrific two-car crash in the Bronx Wednesday morning.
He is identified as 28-year-old Brian Kessler, assigned to Police Service Area #8 of the Housing Bureau.
The head-on accident happened on Shore Road in the Pelham Bay section at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Investigators say Kessler was driving to his New Rochelle home after an overnight shift at NYPD Headquarters when he collided with a city Parks Department garbage truck. He was alone in the vehicle.
Kessler was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, still in his uniform.
Officials say he had been on the force for nine months, having joined in April of 2018. He graduated from the Police Academy last October and was assigned to PSA 8 for three months. He was recently engaged.
The other driver had minor injuries and remained at the scene.
The crash happened on the road leading to the NYPD's Rodman's Neck Firing Range, as well as to City Island, and there have been bad accidents at the traffic circle in the past.
The cause is under investigation, but by some accounts, the roads in the area were icy.
At Kessler's precinct in Throggs Neck, the flag flew at half-staff and the entrance was draped in funeral bunting.
Housing Bureau Chief James Secreto said Kessler's colleagues are struggling tonight with the sudden, painful loss.
WATCH: Police briefing on deadly crash
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