NYPD sergeant kills driver in wrong-way crash on NY highway: cops
An off-duty NYPD sergeant, Sgt. Tiffany Howell, was involved in a tragic head-on collision on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County late Thursday night. Driving in the wrong direction on the parkway, Howell’s 2021 Infiniti collided with a 2024 Toyota driven by 61-year-old Manuel Boitel from Peekskill. Boitel was rushed to Westchester Medical Center but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Howell, a veteran of the NYPD with 18 years of service, resides in Warwick and sustained non-life threatening injuries in the crash. She has been placed on modified duty by the NYPD pending further investigation. Charges have not been filed at this time, as authorities await the results of a toxicology report.
The tragic incident occurred at a complex intersection where the Taconic State Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, and Interstate 684 converge. This area has been the site of past accidents, including a notorious case in 2009 involving a drunk driver who caused a multiple-fatality crash.
Howell, who joined the NYPD in 2008 and rose through the ranks to become a sergeant in 2022, was recognized for her exemplary service with awards for “excellent police duty” in 2014. She was most recently assigned to the Youth Strategies Division in July.
The collision serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of driving the wrong way on highways and the devastating consequences that can result. As the investigation into the crash continues, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Manuel Boitel during this difficult time.
