THE BRONX — An off-duty NYPD officer was killed and another was critically injured when a Dodge Charger flipped and burst into flames in Pelham Bay Park on Wednesday night, officials said.
The driver, a 32-year-old off-duty sergeant, and off-duty rookie Bianca Bennett, were going through a roundabout on City Island Road at Park Drive about 11:43 p.m. when the car flipped, sources said.
Two other off-duty NYPD officers, who were leaving work after a shift at the police shooting range nearby on Rodman's Neck, pulled the sergeant from the wreck, but couldn't get to his passenger Bianca Bennett, 27, sources said.
Bennett, who served in the 9th Precinct and lives in South Jamaica, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said Thursday.
The man, a 9-year NYPD veteran who lives in The Bronx, was treated for life-threatening injuries at Jacobi hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
The officers who tried to help were treated for smoke inhalation at Jacobi as well, but were later released, police said.
It wasn't immediately clear what caused the car to flip, but police said they are still investigating whether speed or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
