BRONX — An off-duty Mount Vernon police officer who was engaged to be married was killed early this morning when he drove his car the wrong way on Interstate 95 and it crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer and burst into flames, police said.
Mount Vernon police identified him as Reginald Velez, 29, of the Bronx. He joined the force Jan. 11, 2010, and was assigned to patrol. He lived alone in the Bronx but was engaged. Police did not have information on his fiancee.
Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Carl Bell said Velez left the Pelham Diner on Gun Hill Road in the Bronx. He was driving his personal car and somehow got on the highway the wrong way. An 18-wheeler was coming, he couldn’t stop, and it crashed into him.
The officer drove south in the northbound lanes about 2:35 a.m., collided with the tractor-trailer near Exit 11, Bartow Avenue, and his car burst into flames, New York City police said.
The car’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Bell said the driver was burned beyond recognition, so the identification of Velez is based on the car’s license plate number and a replica gold police shield.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, New York City police said.
"We don't really know a lot yet" about the accident, Bell said.
The commissioner visited the accident scene this morning and described it as "disastrous."
Mount Vernon internal affairs investigators are looking into the crash, which is being investigated the the 45th Precinct in the Bronx.
Velez did not work Wednesday.
Mount Vernon police have scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. today.
"On behalf of the men and women of the Mount Vernon Police Department, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Velez family,” Bell said. “Officer Velez was a young and promising officer and will be sorely missed by his extended family at the Mount Vernon Police Department.”
Velez’s survivors include his mother and stepfather.
Staff writer Rob Ryser contributed information for this report.
