New York – In a grim announcement, New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed the sentencing of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Bernadine Thomas for her role in the tragic death of her husband. The 36-year-old officer, who called time on her career following the incident, was sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Criminally Negligent Homicide.
The charge stemmed from an incident on February 26, 2023, when Thomas, then off-duty and under the influence of alcohol, was driving at speeds of up to 109 MPH on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Rockland County. The high-speed crash resulted in the death of her husband after their vehicle struck a tree.
Thomas appeared before County Court Judge Kevin Russo on February 3, 2025, where she pleaded guilty. Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) conducted a full investigation into the incident following reports that an officer may have caused the death.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Thomas has waived her right to appeal the verdict. The OSI’s assessment indicated that an officer had potentially caused the death, prompting a thorough probe.
As part of her sentence, Thomas is now bound by strict probationary conditions following the loss of her law enforcement position. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with impaired driving and its tragic consequences.
This incident has drawn significant attention to the role of officers in accidents that result in the death of others and the thorough investigation process carried out by OSI under state law.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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