AG Office Of Special Investigation Launches Investigation After Wrong-Way Crash Involving NYPD Officer

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY — Attorney General James' Office of Special Investigation has opened an investigation into the deadly Taconic crash involving an off-duty NYPD officer.

The New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation (OSI) said it has opened the investigation into the death of Manuel Boitel, following Friday's crash in Westchester County involving an off-duty member of the NYPD.

The New York State Police say that on Thursday, around 11:39 p.m., troopers from Hawthorne responded to the northbound Taconic State Parkway, near mile marker 3.7, in the Town of Mount Pleasant, after receiving a report of a wrong-way collision.

An initial investigation found that a 2021 Infiniti driven by 47-year-old Tiffany P. Howell, of Warwick, was traveling south in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2024 Toyota driven by 61-year-old Manuel Boitel, of Peekskill, head-on.

Boitel was taken to Westchester Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Howell was also transported to Westchester Medical Center with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries, according to the NYSP.

"Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission," the New York Attorney General's Office said, announcing the probe. "Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident."