2 Linden, NJ Cops Still Critical But Stable After Fatal Wrong-Way Crash On Staten Island
LINDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two New Jersey police officers were still in critical but stable condition Monday, days after they were involved in a wrong-way crash on Staten Island that killed a third officer and a friend.
Linden police Capt. James Sarnicki said there was nothing new to report on the medical conditions of Officers Pedro Abad, 27, and Patrik Kudlac, 23.
Linden Officer Frank Viggiano and friend Joe Rodriguez were killed in Friday's crash. Both were 28.
Authorities said the four men were headed home from a strip club when Abad drove the wrong way down the West Shore Expressway and crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer. The officers were off-duty at the time.
Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station shows the car going the wrong way.
The truck driver suffered injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.
Investigators have applied for a warrant to test Abad's blood-alcohol level. But it wasn't yet clear whether the warrant had been approved or executed.
Hours before the crash, Abad had posted a photo on his Instagram page of three shot glasses filled with what he identified as "Jack Daniels Fire on the house.'' But authorities said it was "too premature'' to speculate on what caused the accident.
Linden Mayor Derek Armstead said the officers were "very proactive in our community" and called it "a sad day in Linden."
Viggiano's viewing was scheduled for Wednesday and his funeral will take place Thursday in Linden.
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