Yonkers Police Detective Dead Following Motor Vehicle Accident With Fire Truck

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Yonkers police detective lost his life following a motor vehicle accident with a fire truck.

Yonkers Police Det. Frank Fernandez, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene in the early morning accident.

The accident involving Fernandez's suburban and a Yonkers Fire Department ladder truck took place in the area of Palmer and Sunnybrook Roads. Fernandez, a 15-year veteran of the police department, was off-duty at the time.

Four members of the Yonkers Fire Department were treated and released at a local hospital for minor injuries.

Police Commissioner Charles Gardner called Fernandez the "go to guy" of the department.

"During his tenure with the department he served with honor and distinction and was always available to help and support his fellow officers," Gardner said in a statement. "Detective Fernandez was a well-respected member of our agency for over 15 years and a stellar detective for the past eight years. Frank was a 'go to guy' and his passing is a major loss to our YPD family."

Mayor Mike Spano said in a statement the "entire Yonkers community mourns the loss" of Fernandez.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.