New York Personal Injury News & NYC Legal Current Events

Off-Duty Cop Kills Woman In Alleged Brooklyn DUI Car Accident

After being involved in a NYC pedestrian accident that may have involved drinking and driving, a New York City cop has been suspended from duty for thirty days without pay.

Last Sunday, 32-year-old Vionique Valnord was flagging down a taxi in Brooklyn following a wedding around one in the morning. Off-duty NYC police officer 30-year-old Andrew Kelly struck and killed the woman with his Jeep Cherokee. Those who responded to the scene said that the officer had slurred speech, red eyes, and smelled of alcohol, though Kelly refused a breathalizer test at the scene of the fatal Brooklyn car accident.

Although a blood test seven hours later did not detect any alcohol in his system, Kelly has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. Michael Downs, another NYPD officer, was in the car at the time of the NYC accident but fled the scene. He is being suspended for not rendering aid.

Kelly presented a note of condolence for the family of the dead woman in court, though it is not known if he will testify. The grand jury hearing will begin next week. A memorial for pedestrian accident victim Valnord will be held this week, with Mayor Bloomberg in attendance.

An internal investigation is also taking place to see if any other NYPD officers tried to conceal that Kelly was drunk at the time of the fatal car accident.

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