BUFFALO, NY — The officer who hit and killed a woman with his patrol car while responding to call last week was not his flashing lights or siren, which aligns with the department's policy, Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo said Thursday.
"Based on the nature of the call that the officer was responding to, it would fall either within the routine or rapid response," Rinaldo said. "But based on our very preliminary investigation, the officer was following our policy and it was not a call for service that necessarily dictated the use of the emergency lights and siren."
Buffalo Police are conducting an internal investigation. The State Attorney General's Office is also investigating the incident.
The accident happened around 6:30 a.m. on March 30 on Hertel Avenue near Tennyson.
An officer was responding to a call on Starin Avenue in a marked patrol vehicle and had just crossed over Delaware Avenue when he hit the woman.
Police offered their condolences to the woman's family but did not identify her.
Police have also not identified the officer, but say he is a six-year veteran. They say he is cooperating with the investigation.
The officer is on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, according to police.