Tragedy struck the Pelham community on January 16 when off-duty NYPD officer Brian Kessler was killed in a two-car collision. The crash occurred on Shore Road in Pelham Bay as Kessler was returning to his home in New Rochelle. He was 28 years old.

Kessler had recently finished his night shift when he collided head-on with a Parks Department truck containing two workers. According to several reports, the roads were icy at the time of the crash, which caused his vehicle to swerve into the truck. Police arrived at the scene around 8:30 a.m. and rushed Kessler to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where he was pronounced dead. The Parks Department employees sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Kessler joined the force in April of 2018. He served as a member of the Housing Bureau for three months and worked in Police Service Area 8. According to a statement by NYPD’s Chief of Housing, Kessler was very well-liked by his friends and colleagues. He was also engaged. A funeral service was held at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe on January 18.

Thousands of vehicles per day use Shore Road to travel between the Bronx and Westchester. Unfortunately, it has been the site of numerous car incidents in recent years due to unsafe driving conditions. For example, the roadway has areas that tend to flood and freeze over in the winter, creating a considerable ice threat. In August of 2018, a $1.48 million topographical and traffic study was launched in an attempt to make Shore Road safer for driving. The project is expected to be finished by November of 2019.

A wide variety of emotions may flood one’s mind when behind the wheel for the first time. Many people feel excited about the freedom that comes with driving a car, while others are terrified of controlling such a powerful vehicle. Regardless, the most important rule for all drivers is to be cautious and alert.  According to Strongtieinsurance.com, distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States.