Oct 31, 2009 10:58 am US/Eastern
NYPD: Off-Duty Cop Drunk In Pedestrian Killing
Witness: Det. Kevin Spellman Ran Red Light And Was Speeding At The Time Drana Nikac, 67, Was Struck And Killed
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Drana Nikac, 67, 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 detective has been accused of driving drunk and killing a woman crossing the street in the Bronx.
The flowers and candles found near the scene of the accident were for a 67-year-old woman who went around recycling bottles and cans every day. Friday morning that routine was shattered and her life taken.
"Right now, we're all in shock," said Sara Juncaj, the victim's grandmother.
Juncaj led CBS 2 HD into a room packed with grieving relatives crushed by the loss of Drana Nikac, who was killed while wheeling around a metal cart collecting cans and bottles for recycling.
"That was on her to-do list every morning as much as she didn't have to. It's a hobby," Juncaj said.
A Chevy Impala, now with a dented front and cracked windshield, struck and killed her at 630 a.m. on Kingsbridge Avenue.
Allegedly behind the wheel was off-duty officer Kevin Spellman.
Neighbor Ramon Peralta said he saw it all.
"He had a red light. He went through a red light and he was speeding. He was speeding," Peralta said.
The 42-year-old refused a Breathalyzer test. Investigators got a warrant and a blood sample was taken more than five hours later.
The detective is represented by attorney Jim Moschella, who did not talk on camera. He said the detective, who has been with the Department for more than two decades, is on the Fugitive Task Force and is the father of a newborn.
Spellman lives in Riverdale. On Friday night no one was home. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and criminally negligent homicide.
"She didn't have to go this way, getting hit by a cop on top of that," neighbor Chasiry Santos said.
"She was so loving. I don't know why this happened, but she did not deserve this," Juncaj added.
Spellman was awaiting arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court on Friday night.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments