MTA Cop Strikes, Kills Pedestrian: Footage Released

NORTH AMITYVILLE, NY – A pedestrian is dead after being struck by an off-duty Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) police officer in Suffolk County, and the New York Attorney General is now making the evidence public. Jose Francisco Escobar Vasquez, was killed on March 15, 2025, after being hit by a vehicle driven by the officer on Route 110 and Francine Avenue. The Attorney General’s Office released security camera footage of the incident today, a move intended to bolster transparency, but which raises more questions than answers.

Attorney General Letitia James’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) obtained the footage from nearby security cameras. The release follows James’s directive to make all camera footage from OSI investigations available to the public. The victim, Jose Francisco Escobar Vasquez, was pronounced dead at the scene. Details surrounding the moments leading up to the collision remain murky, and the footage itself, while offering a visual record, doesn’t explain why this happened.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the off-duty MTA police officer was driving his personal vehicle shortly after midnight when the impact occurred. New York State Executive Law Section 70-b mandates that OSI investigate any incident where a law enforcement officer may have caused a death, regardless of whether the officer was on or off duty, and regardless of the circumstances of the deceased. The law casts a wide net, demanding scrutiny of any potential officer involvement in a fatality.

“OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer…may have caused the death of a person,” a statement from the Attorney General’s office reads. “If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.” This investigation is ongoing, and the released footage is simply one piece of the puzzle. The AG’s office was quick to point out that releasing the video is not an admission of guilt or innocence for anyone involved.

Grimy Times has learned that the investigation is focusing on factors such as speed, visibility, and whether the officer was distracted at the time of the incident. While the Attorney General’s office maintains a neutral stance, the public will undoubtedly demand accountability if evidence suggests negligence or wrongdoing. The family of Jose Francisco Escobar Vasquez deserves answers, and the OSI’s thorough investigation will be crucial in providing them.

WARNING: The released video contains graphic content and may be disturbing to some viewers. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The question remains: will this investigation lead to charges, or will this be another case where an officer escapes responsibility for a fatal mistake?