MONTICELLO, NY — The Village of Monticello Police Department confirmed that the officer involved in a fatal motor vehicle incident on November 25 has been fired, while the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. 

“Unfortunately, the village board decided to terminate the officer against my advice,” Monticello Village Police Department (MVPD) Chief David Lindsay told the River Reporter. “The investigation into the accident is not complete and it’s too soon to even consider such a decision.”

“The PBA will obviously grieve the termination and I hope the officer will be back to work at some point,” he said. 

The incident occurred as a man was crossing the street in Monticello and was struck by an off-duty MVPD officer. The off-duty officer was in his personal vehicle when he struck the man. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on November 30. 

The New York State attorney general’s office is investigating the death, following protocol which requires an assessment whenever a police officer or peace officer could have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. 

Lindsey said that the department turned the investigation over to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office immediately after it occurred, due to the involvement of a Monticello Police Officer. “Five days after the accident when the pedestrian died at the hospital I contacted the Attorney General’s Office as per the state law,” Lindsey said. 

“I will say the AG’s press release did list the wrong time, it was 6pm not am and it was mid-block not at the intersection,” wrote Lindsey. “Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased and we stand behind the involved Officer pending the investigation.”