A drunk and possibly drugged-up cop triggered the horrific March 15 crash on Fifth Avenue that led to multiple injuries — including two of his fellow police officers, this paper has learned.
Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes said that Officer Sergio Gonzalez drove under the influence of alcohol or drugs and left the scene following Tuesday morning’s crash near Sixth Street.
The carnage began at 1:57 am when Gonzalez, a resident of nearby Sunset Park slammed his 2007 Dodge Charger into the back of a taxicab, injuring the driver, cops said.
Instead of stopping, Gonzalez sped off, rear-ending an NYPD cruiser that had stopped in the middle of the street further down the block. The Charger then spun out of control, slamming into a parked vehicle.
Andrew Lutes, a patron at the nearby Bar Reis said the crash was deafening.
“It was only noticeable because it was going so fast,” Lutes said.
Witnesses said Gonzalez appeared intoxicated as he stumbled out of the Charger, covered in dust from a deployed airbag.
Cem Kurtulus claimed the cop tried to hide a white plastic bag he had on him – something he wanted to keep away from his fellow cops.
“His jaw was twitching,” Kurtulus said. “He looked out of his mind, like the most unstable guy on earth.”
Cops said that they did not find any drugs at the scene, but they did find two hypodermic needles in Gonzalez’s charger. The officer refused to take a Breathalyzer test when he was taken into custody, officials said.
The cabbie and two cops from the police cruiser were treated for a smattering of head, neck and back injuries. The cabbie had a deep cut to his forehead that needed stitches, according to the criminal complaint.
An NYPD spokesman said Gonzalez was off duty at the time of the accident, and has been suspended from duty due to his arrest. The spokesman did not disclose how long Gonzalez had been a police officer.
Gonzalez was released on his own recognizance on Tuesday afternoon. Attempts to reach his attorney were unsuccessful.
