Holly MatkinYonkers, NY – A 16-year-old unlicensed driver crashed a BMW into a Yonkers police sergeant’s unmarked patrol vehicle and a transit bus on Thursday evening, killing the sergeant and injuring multiple other victims.
The unidentified teen was severely injured in the three-vehicle crash and remained in critical condition on Friday, WABC reported.
Yonkers Police Department (YPD) Sergeant Frank Gualdino, 53, was driving his unmarked Chevrolet Impala westbound on Tuckahoe Road at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 when the driver of an eastbound BMW M5 lost control and veered over into oncoming traffic near the Sprain Brook Parkway, WABC reported.
The BMW slammed into Sgt. Gualdino’s patrol vehicle, as well as a Westchester County Bee-Line bus carrying approximately 30 passengers.
The horrific crash was captured by another motorist’s dashcam.
16 yr old driving BMW sports car loses control, crosses into oncoming traffic hitting & killing Yonkers Police Sgt Frank Gualdino.
Police say teen got learners permit 2 weeks ago.
happened yesterday about 3:30pm on Tuckahoe Rd
Teen in critical
🙏 💙#yonkers @YonkersPD pic.twitter.com/QJkVvJMZku
— Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) December 2, 2022
Several of the bus riders were treated at the scene for minor injuries, WABC reported.
The bus driver also suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash.
Sgt. Gualdino was transported to Jacobi Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, WABC reported.
He served the YPD for 24 years.
Police said the teen behind the wheel of the BMW was alone in the vehicle and that he only had a learner’s permit, WABC reported.
“You have a 16-year-old unlicensed driver in a fast sports car, somehow this became weaponized in a sports car,” Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza told WNYW. “This isn’t a routine traffic accident. This is a 16-year-old kid driving recklessly and as a result someone has died.”
The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing, according to police.
“Our hearts are broken tonight and we ask that you please keep the Sergeant’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” the YPD told WABC in a statement.
Yonkers Police investigate fatal motor vehicle accident; Police Sergeant killed#YonkersPD suffers tragic loss with death of Sergeant Frank Gualdino – RIP
More info https://t.co/ti8eeP7Pp9 pic.twitter.com/QUBLhGEvRA
— Yonkers Police HQ (@YonkersPD) December 2, 2022
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said Sgt. Gualdino’s death marked “a time for mourning” for the entire city, according to WABC.
“We lost a member of our family, we lost a member of our law enforcement community and the men and women in this department are hurting,” Spano said.
Sgt. Gualdino joined the YPD in 1998 and was serving as supervisor of the agency’s traffic unit at the time of his death, WNYW reported.
He was planning to retire in August of next year.
Sgt. Gualdino leaves behind his wife and two children, WNYW reported.
Commissioner Sapienza said Sgt. Gualdino was more than just a fellow officer – he was also a personal friend, WNYW reported.
“Frank was a great guy,” Commissioner Sapienza said. “He was an asset to this job. He was a credit to this job and he was a credit to the community and this is a tragic, tragic loss for us.”
