Oct 30, 2009 1:19 pm US/Eastern
Off-Duty Cop Charged With DWI In Pedestrian Death
Officers Reported Smelling Alcohol On Suspect At Scene
Victim Identified As 67-Year-Old Bronx Woman
Suspect A 10-Year NYPD Veteran
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Investigators photograph a vehicle involved in a fatal accident with a pedestrian. The driver was identified as off-duty NYPD officer Kevin Spellman.
CBS
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Drane Mikac, 62, was killed after being struck by a car driven by an off-duty NYPD detective who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel on Oct. 30, 2009.
CBS
An off-duty New York City police detective who struck and killed a pedestrian in the Bronx on Friday morning was drunk behind the wheel, officials say, and is now facing multiple charges.
Detective Kevin Spellman was driving around 6:30 a.m. Friday when he struck and killed a woman crossing the intersection of West 232 Street and Kingsbridge Ave. A law enforcement official reported that Spellman smelled of alcohol at the time of his arrest.
He's now being charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminal negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.
The victim was later identified as 67-year-old Drana Nikac of 3411 Irwin Ave. in the Bronx.
[Note: Police officials had initially identified victim as 62-year-old Drane Mikac, before a correction was later issued.]
Police said Spellman was traveling south on Kingsbridge Ave when he hit the woman, who had a cartful of empty bottles and cans.
Nikac was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.
Spellman refused to take a Breathalyzer test, but officers smelled alcohol on him. That's according to an official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Spellman was taken into custody and charges are pending. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.
Spellman is a 22-year veteran of the NYPD.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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