Off-Duty New Rochelle Cop Indicted In Drunk-Driving Death Of Friend

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — An off-duty New Rochelle police officer pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter charges for allegedly causing the death of his friend while driving drunk. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. announced Thursday that Harry Kyreakedes, 27, was arraigned on the following charges in the death of Issac Ward:

• First-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class “C” Felony,
• Second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class “D” Felony,
• Aggravated driving while intoxicated per se, an unclassified Misdemeanor,
• Driving while intoxicated, an unclassified Misdemeanor

Scarpino said that, on Jan. 2, 2017, around midnight, Kyreakedes, an off-duty New Rochelle police officer was out drinking with friends — including Ward — at a bar in Dobbs Ferry. After a period of time, they drove to White Plains to go to another bar.

Just before 3 a.m., all four men left, in two separate vehicles. Ward got into the passenger seat of the Kyreakedes’ SUV. The defendant drove southbound on Mamaroneck Avenue and eventually headed back northbound at which point he crashed into a parking meter, a stop sign and into a tree in front of the CVS located at 325 Mamaroneck Ave., police said.

The White Plains Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene. Ward had sustained serious injuries and was unresponsive. He was given CPR at the scene and was then taken to White Plains Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Kyreakedes was pinned in the driver’s compartment and had to be extricated from the vehicle. He suffered extensive injuries to one of his legs.

Kyreakedes was taken to Westchester Medical Center, where samples of his blood were obtained via a court order and search warrant. Authorities said the analysis of those samples showed that the blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the crash was more than 0.18 percent.

He remains out on $50,000 bail and faces up to 15 years in state prison.

Kyreakedes next court date is May 23, 2017.

Image via Shutterstock.