Video contradicts police officers' account, wreck left motorcyclist dead passenger brain damaged

A surveillance video showing an NYPD radio car rear-ending a motorcycle in the Bronx contradicts the cops’ account of how the fatal accident happened, the Daily News has learned.

Internal Affairs Bureau investigators obtained the video shortly after the Oct. 27, 2012, high-speed chase ended in a crash on Walton Ave., leaving the bike’s driver, Ronald Herrera, mortally injured and his passenger, Leonel Cuevas, brain-damaged.

The initial police reports on the incident stated the dirt bike was not being pursued by police. Cops claimed the dirt bike was attempting to overtake the radio car when Herrera lost control and wiped out.


The cops claimed the cruiser’s emergency turret lights were operating during the pursuit through narrow streets in the Tremont section.

Most significant, the cops maintain in sworn statements that the dirt bike suddenly veered, or swerved in front of their cruiser right before the bike was struck from behind.


http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/video-contradicts-account-fatal-wreck-article-1.2242039