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Off-Duty Police Officer Dies After Crash With Garbage Truck In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - An off-duty police officer has died after getting into a crash with a Parks Department garbage truck in the Bronx Wednesday.

Officer Killed In Crash With Garbage Truck
(credit: CBS2)

Police say officer Brian Kessler, 28, was on his way home from work when the crash occurred on Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park at 8:20 a.m.

Web Extra: NYPD News Conference On The Fatal Crash 

Kessler and the garbage truck got into a head-on collision. He was rushed to NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced dead.

Kessler had been with the NYPD for nine months and was engaged to be married. He worked in the Housing Bureau.

Brian Kessler
Brian Kessler (credit: Facebook)

"He was well liked. A lot of his colleagues are distraught, as could be expected," said Chief James Secreto of the NYPD's Housing Bureau.

Two Parks Department employees in the garbage truck suffered minor injuries.

"We are deeply saddened at the loss of our brother Police Officer Brian Kessler in this tragic accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kessler family, his fiancé and all his NYPD colleagues, particularly those at PSA 8.   We also are keeping the NYC Parks employees who were injured in our thoughts as we wish them a speedy and full recovery," PBA President Patrick Lynch said in a statement.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

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