New Haven Independent

Crash Kills Sgt. Aponte; Ofc. Gonzalez Clings To Life

by Paul Bass | September 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)

Cops mourned Wednesday for a fellow officer who died in an on-duty car crash, while friends of a second, critically injured officer maintained a hospital vigil.

The city was stunned by a tragic overnight car crash involving two police cruisers at the corner of Chapel and East streets. The crash claimed the life of one driver, Sgt. Dario “Scott” Aponte. Officer Diane Gonzalez, driver of a second car, had to be pulled out of her vehicle. She remained listed in critical condition at 1:40 Wednesday, according to a Yale-New Haven Hospital spokesman.

(Pictured in top photo:Two buddies of Diane Gonzalez: Yale officer Janet Feredente and New Haven Officer Leslee Witcher. Pictured in photo right below that: Assistant Police Chief Stephanie Redding hugging Fire Chief Michael Grant at police headquarters. Pictured below: Aponte at left, Gonzalez at right.)

Police said the accident happened at 11:27 p.m. at the intersection of Chapel and East streets. Aponte, who’s been on the force 17 years, was on his way to respond to a domestic call from Maltby Street. His car crashed into another cruiser driven by Officer Gonzalez, who was also responding to the call.

Both cops went to the hospital. Aponte was declared dead on arrival.

The fatal crash occurred just one week after the police department dedicated a new wall to fallen officers.

Chief James Lewis said a third car, driven by a civilian, was also involved in the crash. That driver sustained no injuries, the chief said.

“He’s Gonna Kill Her!”

Aponte and Gonzalez were called to respond to what sounded like a horrific scene on Maltby Street. A caller to 911 described a man beating a woman out on the street. A crowd had gathered. Kids were watching.

“He’s gonna kill her!” the caller says on the recording of the call, as voices can be heard shouting in the background.

The cops played the tape at a press conference at headquarters Wednesday morning. Click here to listen to the tape. Click on the play arrow to watch the scene at the press conference as officials played the recording on black HP Pavilion Entertainment PC, and Chief Lewis offered commentary.

When officers did arrive on Maltby Street in response to the late Tuesday night call, the man and his victim had left the scene. Cops later tracked them down. Chief Lewis said no arrests have been made yet, and that no oneappeared seriously hurt. The case remains under investigation, he said.

Meanwhile, the state police are investigating the fatal crash involving the two officers at Chapel and East. Lewis said some of the key details — such as which officer had the right of way — are as yet undetermined.

Sgt. Aponte was 43 years old. He was named a sergeant on July 25. He had previusly served on patrol, as a mounted officer, and as a detective over his 17 years on the force. He and hiw wife, fellow cop Donna Aponte, have four children; the youngest was born four months ago.

Officer Gonzalez, 47, has spent 17 years on the force. She has three chidlren and one grandson, with a second grandchild on the way.

Dunkin’ Donuts Buddies

Also at the hospital vigil were two cops who regularly meet Gonzalez for coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts at 11 each night before their overnight patrols begin: city Officer Witcher (at right in photo) and Yale Officer Feredente (center).

Witcher said she and Gonzalez are close enough friends to consider each other family. They often find each other called to the same scenes at night even if they’re patrolling different districts. Especially if there’s a domestic call in Fair haven.

That’s because Gonzalez speaks Spanish and because she’s especially good at calming people down, Witcher said.

“She’s very good with people. Whenever you’re going to a domestic call, she could talk a person down. She can de-escalate a situation like no one else can. She’s a mom.”

(Chief Lewis said that Gonzalez was not called to the Fair Haven incident Tuesday night for that reason; she just happened to be one of the nearest cops available.)

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Comments

Posted by: Anne Massaro | September 10, 2008 8:14 AM

Another fine officer has lost his life and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of Diane hope dhe recovers from this horrible accident. So much crime in Fair Haven

Posted by: FairHavenResToo | September 10, 2008 4:26 PM

My sincere condolences to Sgt. Aponte's family and my wishes of recovery to Officer Gonzalez.

Posted by: Insider | September 10, 2008 6:50 PM

I'm in shock, it's such a tragedy. They were both fine officers, Scott was an academy mate and alway's exhibited leadership skills.

I also worked with Diane for a few years when I worked the midnight shift, and she was always willing to help out ( translating, consoling ). These two truely are citizens of New Haven, and made the ultimate sacrifice, to protect and serve.

God Bless your families and my prayer goes out to you tonight Di.

Posted by: DingDong | September 10, 2008 6:58 PM

This is truly a tragedy. My condolences to the Mr. Aponte's family.

I hope a thorough review of procedures will be conducted so that such tragedies can be avoided in the future.

Posted by: responder | September 10, 2008 8:22 PM

the 911 tapes reveal at the very least a public disturbance,let alone asualt!! there are witnesses!! why no charges against the man who is responsible for one of the most tragic incidents in the city of New Haven!! How about in voluntary manslaughter!! God Bless the two families and the police department, your in my prayers.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | September 10, 2008 9:15 PM

What to say...the lose of someone can not be healed with words, I can only imagine what these family and friends are going though right now. All I can say is be their for each other and know that the whole city is their for you. I am truly sorry. May god help everyone though this time.

And responer is right. I will say that at this time it is hard to presue theses matters. But what was on that tape was DV. And as all officers are trained to know is women are very reluctant to press charges! Sometimes till it is to late. He should of been taken in. I thought the state laws on this matter have change because of the fact that most DV victims do not press changes as to not anger the perb anymore than they already are!

Posted by: Free Speech | September 10, 2008 10:11 PM

My prayer go out to the Aponte and Gonzalez family.

Posted by: bruce | September 11, 2008 9:58 AM

Very very sad. My condolences not only to friends and family, but the community he served.

Posted by: David Streeverr | September 11, 2008 11:41 AM

What an awful tragedy: my condolences and best wishes to all.

Posted by: citysavior | September 11, 2008 12:05 PM

This such a tragedy. The families of the officers have my prayers. The officers of our police department have had such bad luck in the past years in losing officers picagli and fumiatti suffering through corruption scandal. when will this cloud be lifted?? WE SHOULD SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS AND OFFER THEM A KIND WORD AND PRAYER WHEN WE SEE THEM.

Posted by: dede | September 11, 2008 12:37 PM

Will there be any charges to the persons involved in the maltby st.dv. it is so sad that two officers one died the other critical responding to this call. these families need answers...the city should hold a vigil on the new haven green in support of these families....peace be with the famalies..

Posted by: Joey | September 11, 2008 2:09 PM

My prayers and best wishes go out to the familys as well as the NHPD

Posted by: fairhaven | September 11, 2008 3:29 PM

Dede you are right someone should be held accountable and a vigil should be held

Posted by: eddie | September 12, 2008 9:34 AM

Responder: I understand your frustration, but surely you can't be saying that the people involved in a domestic incident blocks away should be held responsible for the crash? If I had a heart attack and the ambulance crashed while responding, would I be criminally responsible?

In any case, my heart goes out to Sgt. Aponte's family, and I wish Officer Gonzalez a quick recovery. There are a lot of fine officers in the NHPD and they don't always get the respect they deserve.

Posted by: carol | September 12, 2008 11:25 AM

God bless both families.

Posted by: Jim | September 13, 2008 1:05 AM

Those of you that think the person involved in the domestic violence case should be charged with manslaughter are being quite ignorant.

When it comes down to it, one of the two police officers broke the law at the intersection (we don't know who). That is what caused the crash. Any emergency responder knows the risk of going full blast with lights and sirens.

Don't get me wrong. This is a terrible situation and our prayers should go out to the families, but don't be so quick to blame those that aren't really at fault, even if they are at fault for other things (DV).

Posted by: cedarhillresident | September 13, 2008 8:45 PM

Tonight I had so many state trooper and other non New Haven officers patrolling. It truly touched me that they are doing this for our officers, And I talk to a few other who said they had the same thing in thier community's.

Posted by: Insider | September 13, 2008 9:37 PM

Jim

Answer me this, how was a law broken if the emergencey lights and siren were activated?, by your ridiculous account there not be lights and sirens.

It was a tragic accident, and an arrest should be made for d/v, listen to the tape before you make another ... comment.

Crash Kills Sgt. Aponte; Ofc. Gonzalez Clings To Life

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