Hudson Valley Man Jailed For Fatal Wrong-Way Crash that Killed Cop

A Hudson Valley man who fatally killed an NYPD Detective while driving the wrong-way on a highway will serve jail time.

Police say the driver was traveling over 100 MPH at time of the crash with alcohol and drugs in his system.

In April, 22-year-old Efren Moreno plead guilty to manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and vehicular manslaughter, all felonies.

According to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, on February 27, 2015 around 3:50 a.m., Moreano, drove northbound on the southbound Jackson Avenue exit of the Sprain Brook Parkway in Greenburgh.

Moreano then entered the parkway and drove in the wrong direction for 2 miles, causing many drivers to take evasive action. Some were forced off the road.

The victim, an NYPD detective from Westchester, was hit head-on by Moreano. The officer was killed instantly.

Moreano suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries, which required surgery, to his right arm and leg.

While being extricated from his vehicle officials detected a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana on the defendant. A New York State Trooper observed a small bag of marijuana on the passenger side of the car.

An accident investigation revealed that Moreano was traveling at approximately 105 miles per hour at the time of the collision.

Toxicology results show that Moreno had a blood alcohol level of .16% and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.

Tuesday in Westchester County Court, Moreano was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison.

Moreano was remanded to the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections.