PEDRO ABAD, THE LINDEN POLICE OFFICER WHO DROVE WRONG WAY IN FATAL CRASH CHARGED WITH DUI IN 2013 AND NUMEROUS OTHER TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS. HE OBVIOUSLY LED HIS FRIENDS TO THEIR DEATH.

MARCH 24, 2015

LINDEN, NEW JERSEY

City police Officer Pedro Abad, who was driving the vehicle involved in the Staten Island wrong-way crash in which two people were killed last week, previously was charged with drunk driving in Rahway in 2013, according to state motor vehicle records.

Abad, 27, a six-year veteran of the department, received violations for refusing to take a chemical test and for driving under the influence after an accident in Rahway on Feb. 26, 2013, according to records at the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Abad also received a violation for using a cell phone while driving following a crash on Aug. 19, 2012 in Linden, according to their records.

In Oct. 16, 2013, a judge imposed two suspensions of his driver's license, one for each of the 2013 violations, and ordered that Abad have an interlocking device installed on his car for 180 days, the records state.

That ended on Sept. 11, 2014, according to the MVC records.

Abad served the suspensions and paid the fines, and his driving privileges were restored on May 14, 2014, the records show.

Abad remains in critical condition at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, where he was taken following the crash shortly before 5 a.m. in which he drove the wrong way on the West Shore Expressway and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer.

Two passengers in the car, Linden Officer Frank Viggiano, 28, and Linden resident Joseph Rodriguez, 28, were fatally injured in the crash.

Another Linden police officer, Patrik Kudlac, 23, was also in the car and was critically injured in the crash. Kudlac remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Staten Island University Hospital North.

Linden police today, when asked about the 2013 charges, declined to comment.

However, Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki previously said that any prior accident or charge would be a part of an internal record which would not be released.

"We would not necessarily be notified if an officer had an off-duty accident unless there was a charge filed against him. If that was the case, the officer would be required to notify our department and an internal investigation of the incident would take place," Sarnicki said in a statement.

The NYPD confirmed the four men were at the Curves strip club before the 5 a.m. crash. Police said detectives are reviewing video surveillance and interviewing staff at the club to determine if the men had been drinking and have applied for a warrant to test Abad's blood for alcohol.

The general manager at Curves confirmed that the club does serve alcohol, but would not say if the men were drinking.

"We are cooperating with the authorities on the investigation, and they have asked us not to comment," said Curves General Manager Tommy Ford. "Obviously we feel for the families. It's a tragedy. You never want to be on the other end of that phone call."

An Instagram post from around 11 p.m. Thursday on Abad's account shows a picture of shots at Central Park, a Roselle bar-restaurant, with the caption "Jack Daniels Fire on the house" and a toast about how he wants to settle down and have a family.

A manager from Central Park has not returned calls for comments.

At a Friday press conference, Linden authorities would not answer questions about where the men were or whether they were drinking.

"We will let the investigation air out what happened," said Police Captain James Sarnicki. "We'll learn from what happened today. And if there's any lessons to be learned, we'll take that information, and I'm sure the chief will address any issues at that time."  Sure, capitano.  Just make sure you do not cover up the New Jersey way.  When it comes to citizens you are always out there accusing the people of this and that.  When comes to your drunk cops, you just preach patience and cover-up.  The good old New Jersey way.

Thank god the investigation is conducted by the New York police who are more forthcoming and relatively more honest.  The New Jersey cops are known for their corruption and cover-ups that lead to disasters like the one caused by these drunken cops.

Source:www.nj.com

DALLAS POLICE HELICOPTER PILOT RECOVERING AFTER COOT CRASHES THROUGH WINDSHIELD

MARCH 24, 2015

DALLAS, TEXAS

The pilot of the Dallas Police Department helicopter that had to make an emergency landing Monday night was released from the hospital Tuesday morning. (Published Tuesday, Mar 24, 2015)

The co-pilot of a Dallas Police Department helicopter is being hailed as a hero after he had to make an emergency landing following a bird strike over Lake Ray Hubbard Monday night.

According to Dallas police, Sgt. Todd Limerick and co-pilot Senior Cpl. Laurent Lespagnol were responding to a call of a possible capsized boat. They were over the lake when an American Coot crashed through the windshield of the helicopter, striking Limerick in the face.

On Tuesday, Lespagnol described the moment the roughly three-pound little bird struck the helicopter.  Probably the little brave bird was defending his nest and sacrificed his life by attacking the "big bird".

“Loud, loud, loud,” Lespagnol said. “Kind of an explosion type deal, loud boom. Like I said, not knowing if the engine had gone out or what, it was just interesting.”

Limerick was bleeding and handed control of the chopper to Lespagnol, who maneuvered in the dark around power lines to bring it safely to the ground. Lespagnol admits it was scary.

“Absolutely, I would be crazy not to say it wasn’t chaotic and like I said the main thing was bring the aircraft down and get him medical attention because there was blood all over,” Lespagnol said. Dallas police are now calling Lespagnol a hero.

Dallas Police Deputy Chief Scott Walton said not every time DPD Air One flies are there two licensed pilots aboard, and in this instance Lespagnol’s skills and training assisted in safely landing the helicopter.

Lespagnol told reports his main concern was getting the helicopter to the ground so his partner could receive medical attention. Paramedics transported Limerick to Baylor University Medical Center. Lespagnol told NBC 5 that Limerick suffered a broken nose and facial bruises.

Limerick tweeted that he was feeling better just after midnight.

Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers tonight. I am bruised, bloody and sore but will be ok.........Sgt T. Limerick. @DallasPD

— Dallas Air One (@DPDAir1) March 24, 2015

He was released Tuesday morning and is expected to be OK.  Unfortunately the little coot died in the crash.  RIP.  Cops-1, Coot-0.

Crews used tape to repair the windshield of the helicopter so it could be flown back for more permanent repairs at the Dallas Executive Airport, where it’s housed.

Police said they later found the capsized boat Limerick was searching for. The boater was found safe as well.

PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL BUS PLOWS INTO HOUSE IN BLUE BELL. DRIVER BLACKED OUT.

MARCH 24, 2015

BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA

Police are investigating what caused a school bus loaded with kids to plow into a home in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, this morning. 

The students were uninjured and escaped with the bus driver from a rear emergency exit on the bus, which was bound for Saint Helena School, according to the Whitpain Township Police Department. The students ranged in age from 5 to 12, said the school's principal, Sister Cathe Shoulberg. 

The 58-year-old male bus driver was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated, police said in a written statement that did not specify a reason for the hospital evaluation. The driver may have had a medical issue before the incident, ABC station WPVI reported. 

"The bus driver looked absolutely lethargic, he was completely out of it," a neighborhood resident, Craig Kalman, told WPVI. "He said 'I don't remember, I don't remember.'" 

The driver is “loved by students and parents” and “they are very concerned about him,” Shoulberg said. 

“Students said that he appeared fine this morning,” Shoulberg added. 

One person was inside the house at the time of the crash, but the person was uninjured, police said. Later reports suggested additional people inside the house, but still no injuries, though police did not respond to requests for clarification. 

"We were in that room five seconds before," homeowner Jill Lafferty told WPVI. "The force was so great that it pushed both of us on the floor, it sounded like an explosion. I thought there was a gas leak and something exploded downstairs."

"I said a prayer and I said, 'Thank you God that my kids were not in that room,'" Lafferty added. "I don’t know what could have happened. I don’t want to think about what ifs.” 

Police received a report of a bus into a residence on Windermere Drive at 7:45 a.m. and continued to investigate the crash throughout the day. Police told ABC News they would be looking at video from a camera on the bus as part of the investigation and had interviewed students at the school. 

Here's a look at the front of the bus that plowed into a home in Blue Bell. Crews just removed it. pic.twitter.com/neYlIOnd07

— Walter Perez (@WalterPerez6abc) March 24, 2015

Police said nine students were on the bus when it crashed, and Shoulberg said several others witnessed the accident from a bus stop. After arriving at school, Shoulberg added, the students were examined by the school nurse and deemed to be alright but shocked, and they were given soft pretzels at the principal's office.

HAULER SPILLS FUEL IN CRASH ON I-4 IN TAMPA

MARCH 10, 2015

TAMPA. FLORIDA

Tampa Fire Rescue Hazmat crews are at the scene of a jackknifed hauler that is leaking fuel on Interstate 4 in Tampa.

Officials say the crash occurred around 1:45 p.m. at Exit 1 and is blocking the westbound lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say 74-year-old Osman Campos, of Tampa, was driving an empty dump hauler in the center lane, east of 22nd Street when he veered out of the way of a white Hyundai Sonata made an improper lane change in front of him.

To avoid the collision, troopers say Campos veered to the right, crossing the westbound lanes and striking the outside concrete wall.

The hauler came to rest in the westbound lanes, obstructing all but the inside westbound lane, troopers said.

Campos was hospitalized with minor injuries, troopers said.