Off‑duty NYPD sergeant probed in wrong‑way Taconic Parkway crash that killed doorman
MOUNT PLEASANT, New York (WABC) -- An off-duty NYPD sergeant is under investigation after a wrong-way crash on the Taconic State Parkway that killed a man in Westchester County last week.
The crash happened around 11:39 p.m. on January 22, near mile marker 3.7 in the Town of Mount Pleasant, close to the Saw Mill River Parkway interchange.
State police say 47-year-old Tiffany Howell, of Warwick, was driving her 2021 Infiniti the wrong way, south in the northbound lanes, when she hit a 2024 Toyota head-on.
The Toyota's driver, 61-year-old Manuel Boitel of Peekskill, was rushed to Westchester Medical Center, where he died shortly after arriving.
Boitel was driving home from his job as a doorman on the Upper East Side when he was killed.
The family started a GoFundMe to help the victim's wife.
Howell was also taken to the hospital, but her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Howell, an 18-year member of the NYPD, was off duty at the time. She has since been placed on modified duty and relieved of her gun and badge while the investigation continues. No charges have been filed so far, as authorities are still waiting for toxicology reports and other findings.
Because a police officer was involved, the New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation automatically opened a case, as required under state law. That office reviews any incident where an on- or off-duty officer may have played a role in someone's death. Officials stress that the information released so far is preliminary and may change as they continue to gather evidence.
In the days after the crash, Howell filed paperwork to retire at the end of next month. NYPD rules normally prevent officers from retiring while they are the subject of an open investigation, so her request will require further review.
Both the New York State Police and the Attorney General's Office continue to investigate. Anyone who saw the crash or has information is asked to call the State Police Hawthorne Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 9147426057.
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