A police car crashed into a civilian car on University Square

NYPD officers collided with a civilian vehicle on University Place on their way to the theft report site on Monday, Feb. 20.

In response to a report of a theft on 14th Street, south of Union Square, an NYPD vehicle crashed into a civilian’s vehicle around 5:00 pm on February 20. Two officers from Precinct Six were taken to Bellevue Hospital after the collision, both in stable condition.

The accident, which occurred on University Place between 13th and 14th Streets, crumpled a white civilian Ford on the left side and the bumper of a police car was bent. The injured civilian, Michael Krawiec, was not seriously injured but was taken to a nearby hospital after the accident.

Priya Kravets, his daughter and NYU student, said her father heard police sirens while driving but said he didn’t see any lights or vehicles. Shortly thereafter, a police car crashed into the side of his car.

“Fun fact: if you’re a cop, you can’t just run around shit,” Kravetz said. “You still have to look and all, crazy enough.”

According to NYPD Lieutenant John Grimpel, three more people were taken into custody in connection with the theft incident.

Eva Gimbel, a local resident who encountered the site of the collision after the fact, said she was disgusted by what happened.

“My guess is that the cop was speeding either for fun and selfishness or to chase someone, and that’s what happens when they do it,” Gimbel said.

Contact Bruna Horvath by phone [email protected] and Carmo Moniz in [email protected]