New Haven’s police chief is reminding his officers to slow down, after release of a report that found two cops responsible for a fatal crash.
Sgt. Dario “Scott” Aponte and Officer Diane Gonzalez collided en route to the scene of what sounded like an “imminent” murder in Fair Haven on Sept. 9. Aponte died; Gonzalez remains in a coma with permanent brain injuries.
State troopers in the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad investigated the incident.
Their report found that both officers failed to slow down enough when they ran through the traffic light at the intersection of Chapel and East streets, according to a statement released by the city. In their probe, troopers reviewed witness statements and video footage from the scene.
Investigators could not figure out which officer had the green light at the time of the crash, even after enhancing video footage. The status of the light was a “significant” factor in the crash, but not the “causative” factor, troopers concluded.
The report found that both cops violated a state law governing the operation of emergency vehicles. The law states that police officers can run a red light, “but only after slowing down or stopping to the extent necessary for the safe operation of such vehicle.”
The cops “failed to operate their respective vehicles with due regard for the safety of all persons and property,” according to city spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga.
The incident they rushed to turned out to be a false alarm — it sounded from the 911 call as though a woman’s life was in danger, but in the end it apparently wasn’t. Click on the video to watch officials playing the harrowing 911 call the morning after the crash.
Police Chief James Lewis said Friday that the findings send a cautionary note to fellow police officers.
“It’s another reminder that as strong as the desire is to get to the scene, they still need to get there in safe manner,” Lewis said.
More cops die in on-duty car crashes than in shootings nationwide, he said.
“Many of these accidents, if we slow down, would not have occurred,” he said. “That’s the message we send to the officers — to slow down and get there safely.” The chief said he continues to raise the issue at lineups, especially when similar cases pop up nationwide.
“In my entire 40-year career, we’ve been reminding officers to slow down and be careful,” he added, “but these tragedies still unfortunately take place.”
The city released the news Friday, on a day when state police offices were closed due to a furlough day. The full report won’t be available until Tuesday, when state police offices reopen.
Lewis said he first read the 4‑inch-thick report last weekend, but delayed releasing the news until after Aponte’s family got through a memorial service held this week.
The double tragedy has torn at the police department.
Gonzalez remains in a local rehab facility. The city continues to pay her medical bills, which so far have totaled over $727,000. The costs will be capped at $1.5 million by stop-loss insurance, said city Chief Administrative Officer Rob Smuts.
Lewis said the officers should be remembered for their years of dedication to New Haven.
The crash “doesn’t diminish their service to the community,” he said. “it’s just a tragic
mistake that was made when they were trying to help another citizen.”
This is really a tragedy, and I pray that the other officer will eventually make a full recovery.
It's important to remember, though that this is not an isolated New Haven incident: it is part of a continuing pattern of tragedies all around the country. Most of these are preventable. I hope that the department will follow the advice of the Chief, as it will save lives in the future. He is the expert.
A couple weeks ago I saw an NHPD vehicle blowing down one of New Haven's long hills at about 60-70 miles per hour. It is quite possible that he or she was responding to a call, but this level of speeding has the potential to create serious injuries - not only to the driver of the car, but to anyone who happens to be turning out of any of the cross streets that the driver passed by. They would not have had nearly enough time to react.