Police sergeant dies after crash with teen driver months before retirement, NY cops say

Brendan Rascius
·2 min read

A multi-vehicle collision in Yonkers, a New York City suburb, resulted in the death of a police sergeant and the injury of a teenage driver, police said.

Sgt. Frank Gualdino, a 24-year veteran of the Yonkers Police Department, was driving on a four-lane road on Dec. 1 when the crash occurred, according to a Dec. 2 news release from the department.

The driver of a BMW barreling down the opposite direction lost control and swerved into the wrong lane, colliding into Gualdino’s vehicle and a bus full of 30 passengers, according to police.

Both Gualdino, 53, and the BMW driver, a 16-year-old with a learner’s permit, suffered “devastating blunt force injuries to their heads and bodies,” according to police, and both were transported to nearby trauma centers.

The bus driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and several passengers were given treatment for minor injuries, police said.

Gualdino died as a result of his injuries in the hospital, police said, and he leaves behind a wife and two children. He was planning to retire in nine months.

A spokesperson for the Yonkers Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Dec. 5.

“Our hearts are heavy as the City of Yonkers has experienced an insurmountable loss,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in the news release. “Sergeant Frank Gualdino was a cop’s cop and the epitome of Yonkers Finest.”

Throughout his career, Gualdino, a native of Yonkers, “carried out his duties with grace, exuberance, and diligence,” his obituary states.

The teen driver, who obtained his learner’s permit less than three weeks before the crash and was alone in the car, remained in critical condition as of Dec. 2, officials said. Police have not released his name but said he is a student at a local private school.

The crash remains under investigation, and the teen driver may face criminal charges, according to officers.

“There are no words to assuage the pain and anguish Frank’s family and the Yonkers Police community are experiencing right now,” Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said in the release. “We miss him dearly, and will do everything in our power to support his family and each other. Godspeed, Frank!”

Pregnant 28-year-old woman missing for a week found dead, Colorado officials say

Argument over McDonald’s fries ends with man shooting his brother, Indiana cops say

They had an ‘ongoing dispute’ over HOA issues, Florida cops say. Then came violence

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Hilary Cass says criticism of Cass Review ‘inaccurate’ and ‘unforgivable’

    The 66-year-old healthcare professional fears for her safety in the wake of the report’s publication and subsequent online abuse aimed at her.

  • The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud review – a bad man in Trinidad

    The troubling allure of a real-life gangster is vividly captured in tales from the women who fell for him

  • Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial identified as ‘researcher’ who posted conspiracy-laden manifesto online

    Maxwell Azzarello, 37, dies in hospital after suffering burn injuries

  • D-backs vs. Giants Highlights

    Ketel Marte and the D-backs take on Jorge Soler and the Giants on April 19, 2024

  • Sunak’s plan to tackle sick note culture labelled hostile assault on disabled

    The prime minister said it was a ‘moral mission’ to reform the welfare system

  • Labrador town declares state of emergency as officials brace for possible explosion

    HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — A town in Labrador has declared a state of emergency because a fire has spread to an area containing explosive material. RCMP are warning residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the town's Canadian Forces base of an uncontrolled fire in the area. Police say an explosion is expected. Mayor George Andrews says the fire broke out at several buildings on the north side of town. The town is asking all residents in that area, locally known as the Canadian side, to evacua

  • Banff Centre begins board rebuild post-overhaul

    BANFF – After recent fallout over the handling of its CEO succession, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is starting to rebuild its board of governors beginning with the appointment of a chair and five new public members. Alberta’s government has selected oil and gas executive and chair of the Alberta Foundation of the Arts Paul Baay as the restructured board’s chair after tasking him to uphold board duties and review Banff Centre’s internal processes and policies following the province bo

  • US agrees to withdraw troops from key drone base in Niger

    The United States agreed Friday to withdraw its more than 1,000 troops from Niger, officials said, upending its posture in West Africa where the country was home to a major drone base. The long-expected move effectively marks a new regional gain for Russia, which has ramped up its focus on Africa and backed military regimes in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell accepted the call to remove troops in a meeting in Washington with the prime minister of the junt

  • Shareholders Will Most Likely Find Merck KGaA's (ETR:MRK) CEO Compensation Acceptable

    Key Insights Merck KGaA will host its Annual General Meeting on 26th of April CEO Belen Garijo Lopez's total...

  • Man who set himself on fire outside Trump's Manhattan hush money trial dies

    Maxwell Azzarello doused himself in liquid before throwing conspiracy-theory pamphlets, police said.

  • Mînî Thnî domestic violence shelter doubling in size, capacity

    ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – The Eagle’s Nest Stoney Family Shelter in Mînî Thnî is planning to break ground on a significant expansion of its facility this year, adding 12 new beds. The shelter currently has four rooms to house women and families, in addition to a singles room, for a total of eight beds. The buildout adds five family rooms and a barrier-free room designed for mobility-impaired individuals. Shelter director Laurie Patino said the design will add much-needed space for Indigenous women and fam

  • F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying start time and updates in Shanghai as Max Verstappen wins sprint race

    Formula 1 updates from the Shanghai International Circuit as China hosts the first sprint weekend of the season

  • East County teen's death remains a mystery decades later

    It has been nearly 40 years since a 16-year-old girl was found dead inside an El Cajon home. To this day, investigators do not know exactly what happened.

  • STARS report shows 25 calls to MD of Bighorn area in 2023

    MD OF BIGHORN – STARS Air Ambulance flew 25 missions in 2023 in the MD of Bighorn region, with pickups from within or near Canmore to Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, according to a report presented to MD council. The report highlighted the non-profit flies an average of 22 missions per year in the area, based on data collected from 2019 up to March 31, 2024. Of those, 70 per cent were scene calls and 30 per cent were inter-facility transfers. “As always, it’s really great to understand what

  • With 43% ownership, Schindler Holding AG (VTX:SCHN) insiders have a lot at stake

    Key Insights Schindler Holding's significant insider ownership suggests inherent interests in company's expansion A...

  • Puzzle solutions for Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Find answers to the latest online sudoku and crossword puzzles that were published in USA TODAY Network's local newspapers.

  • MD of Bighorn rolls out fee assistance program for locals

    MD OF BIGHORN – The MD of Bighorn has approved a fee assistance program to aid eligible residents in accessing educational, recreational and cultural programs at a lower cost. The program offers financial support to MD residents facing financial barriers to partake in leisure and learning opportunities offered within the MD of Bighorn and neighbouring jurisdictions. “I think this was kind of exciting to see come forward,” said Coun. Alice James. “I was kind of wondering about the affordability m

  • Kings reflect on ‘mountain-and-valley’ season after play-in loss to New Orleans Pelicans

    The Sacramento Kings talked about the highs and lows of their season following a season-ending loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

  • Charlotte FC hosts Minnesota United in non-conference action

    Minnesota United FC (3-2-2, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Charlotte FC (3-3-2, sixth in the Eastern Conference)Charlotte, North Carolina; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Charlotte FC -103, Minnesota United FC +260, Draw +253; over/under is 2.5 goalsBOTTOM LINE: Charlotte FC faces Minnesota United in non-conference play.Charlotte is 3-0-1 at home. Charlotte ranks 10th in the Eastern Conference drawing 33 corner kicks, averaging 4.1 per game.United is 2-1-0 in road games. Bongokuh

  • San Jose Earthquakes try to end road losing streak in game against the LA Galaxy

    San Jose Earthquakes (1-7-0, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. LA Galaxy (4-1-3, first in the Western Conference)Carson, California; Sunday, 8:15 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Los Angeles -161, San Jose +356, Draw +336; over/under is 3.5 goalsBOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Earthquakes travel to the LA Galaxy aiming to end a four-game road skid.The Galaxy are 4-1-2 in conference matchups. The Galaxy are seventh in the Western Conference allowing only 11 goals.The Earthquakes are 1-7-0 against West