Frank Gualdino Killed In BMW Crash: According to authorities, Frank Gualdino, a married father of two who oversaw the department’s traffic section, was the Yonkers police sergeant who died in a multi-vehicle collision involving a BMW and Bee-Line bus earlier today.
Gualdino, who was recently honored for saving the life of a 3-year-old child while on a funeral detail, was operating an unmarked department vehicle while performing his or her job on Tuckahoe Road at around 3:30 on Thursday.
At that time, a BMW traveling the other way appeared to lose control and slide across the yellow line into oncoming traffic.
BMW M5 Driver Was A Teen With Learner’s Permit
The driver of the sports car, a BMW M5, was a 16-year-old with a learner’s permit, according to the preliminary inquiry, Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said on Friday. No one in the car had a valid driver’s license, according to Sapienza. Additionally, he claimed that the young driver, who had just received his learner’s license three weeks prior, appeared to be speeding.
The BMW driver is seen on dashcam footage from the briefing on Friday losing control, crossing the center line, and slamming into Gualdino’s late-model Impala and the Westchester County Bee-Line bus. The inquiry, according to Sapienza, is still ongoing, but it seems the teenage driver was unable to control the “very fast sports car” he was operating.
Accident Victims
Gualdino passed away at a hospital being the only person in his car. According to authorities, the vehicle also struck a Westchester County Bee-Line bus. At the time, there were roughly 30 passengers on board. Some people picked up minor wounds. The bus driver also sustained injuries, although they weren’t thought to be life-threatening.
In the collision, the BMW’s driver sustained serious injuries. On Friday, he was still being treated at the hospital in an ICU. Information about potential charges wasn’t immediately available.
The Yonkers police hired 53-year-old Gualdino in 1998. He had planned on retiring the next year. During the midnight transfer of his body from the hospital, officers stood at full attention. Funeral plans have not yet been made public.
Gualdino was characterized as a buddy, sergeant, decorated cop, and “wonderful family man” who oversaw a prestigious squad by Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. He expressed sympathy to his wife Lisa and children Emily and Mark and stated he was well-liked by his coworkers and the Westchester community.
“We lament the passing of a fantastic officer. There is a family as well “said Spano. “We were all 16 once, you know. Teenagers are a common feature of families. We are aware that when you are 16 years old, you tend to err on the side of caution. You know, you keep urging your kids to watch it, slow down, and drive slowly, but sometimes they still do what was just being done outside.”
