by Martin Mbugua Daily News staff writer
December 17, 2000, Sunday Sports Final Edition
Copyright 2000 Daily News, L.P.
Daily News (New York)
December 17, 2000, Sunday Sports Final Edition
(NEW YORK) -- Two police officers racing to an emergency on Staten Island were seriously injured Friday night when their cruiser collided with another car driven by an off-duty detective, police said. Officers Kenneth Hood, 40, and Shawn Kee, 29, were rushing to the scene of an accident with their lights on and siren blaring when they went through a red light and rammed into a 1987 Buick driven by Detective William Richards at Tysens Lane and Amboy Road at 11:45 p.m., police said.
The police car, a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, was traveling south on Amboy Road when it smashed into the driver’s side of Richards’ car.
Both cars spun and crashed into a utility pole.
“It appears it was a freak accident,” said Sgt. Brian Burke. “There was no alcohol involved.”
Hood, an 18-year veteran, underwent surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition, said Pat Bruno, a spokeswoman for Staten Island University Hospital, where all the officers were taken.
Kee and Richards were listed in serious but stable condition.
Kee joined the force in 1996. Richards, who is assigned to police headquarters, has served for 19 years.
The officers were responding to an emergency call after a woman collided with a road divider at Spratt Ave. and Amboy Road, a mile away.