Police examined and photographed the wreckage. Photo by Tommy Breen
Kessler from his heavily
damaged silver 2013 Chevy
Equinox. ESU personnel
administered CPR to him
as he was being transported
to Jacobi Medical
Center.
Kessler, who served
with PSA 8 for the past
three months, was pronounced
deceased at 9:15
a.m.
The garbage truck
driver remained at the
scene.
Two Parks employees
sustained minor injuries
and were taken to Jacobi
for treatment.
The incident remains
under investigation and no
arrests were made.
Kessler became engaged
to his fi ancée Denise Vargas
on Wednesday, March
14.
He joined the force on
Saturday, April 21 and
graduated from the Academy
on Tuesday, October
16.
“He was well-liked and
a lot of his colleagues are
distraught,” expressed
NYPD chief of Housing
James Secreto.
Patrol Borough Bronx
assistant chief Nikunen
thanked the NYPD, FDNY
and Jacobi for their assistance.
“I would also like to extend
our heartfelt condolences
to the Kessler family
and the extended NYPD
family for their loss,”
shared Nikunen.
There was a fl ood of
tears Wednesday afternoon
as PSA 8 and ESU police offi
cers paid their respects
to Kessler at 2794 Randall
Avenue.
ESU police offi cers hung
purple memorial bunting
above PSA 8’s entrance
and fl ew the precinct’s fl ag
at half-mast.
“We are forever grateful
to his service, may his family
and friends fi nd peace
and comfort,” stated Councilman
Mark Gjonaj.
Kessler was laid to rest
at Gate of Heaven Cemetery
on Wednesday, January
23.
Following the incident
that same morning, Shore
Road was closed to traffi c
north of the Bartow Pell
Circle as police investigated.
Approximately 17,000
vehicles a day utilize the
1.4 mile road traveling
past Bartow-Pell Museum
Mansion and Pelham Bay/
Split Rock Golf Course
as it winds north into
Westchester County.
Since August, Shore
Road has undergone a $1.48
million topographical and
traffi c study to solve the
roadway’s hazardous conditions.
NYC Department of Design
and Construction contracted
the 70-year-old design
fi rm NV5 to perform
a Capital Project Scope Development
to address fl ooding
and other road conditions
on Shore Road from
Pelham Bay Circle up to
the Bronx County line.
The CPSD is anticipated
to take 15 months, with an
anticipated completion by
late 2019.
DDC informed the study
team of the accident to see
if anything specifi cally
needs to be addressed on
that part of the road.
15 BRONX WEEKLY January 27, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
from Page 1
POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING ON VALENTINE AVE.
Police need your help apprehending a suspect wanted in connection to a shooting
in the west Bronx. According to 46th Precinct, a 17-year-old male was shot once in
his back at 2128 Valentine Avenue on Thursday, January 17 at 1:18 p.m. The victim
was taken to Jacobi Medical Center and is expected to survive. Police are looking
for an individual described as a Hispanic male with a beard last seen wearing a black
hoodie, black jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers. The suspect fl ed southbound on
Valentine Avenue. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All
calls are kept strictly confi dential.
(Above) Police roped off the area as they conducted their investigation.
Photo by Aracelis Batista
MAN STABBED IN FRONT OF CUNY PREP
Police have arrested three suspects wanted in connection to an assault in Pelham
Parkway. According to 49th Precinct police, an 18-year-old man was stabbed in front
of CUNY Prep at 2122 White Plains Road on Wednesday, January 9 at 1 p.m. The victim
was approached by a group of males that demanded his jacket. He was stabbed in
his back by three males who fl ed the location in multiple directions. The victim was
taken to Jacobi Medical Center by EMS in serious condition. Police arrested Michael
Brito, a 17-year-old Norwood resident and a 14-year-old male on Thursday, January
10 and Marquis Yohanis, a 19-year-old Brooklyn resident, on Tuesday, January 15. All
three face charges of attempted murder and gang assault.
Off-duty PSA 8 offi cer killed
in Shore Road collision
Fallen police offi cer Brian Kessler
served at Police Service
Area 8 for three months.
Photo courtesy of Facebook
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