Crash Kills Cop And Colleague Faces DWI Rap

By REUVEN BLAU

An off-duty rookie police officer has been charged with killing her colleague in an alleged drunk-driving accident that occurred on a Long Island highway Sept. 22.

According to authorities, Police Officer Danielle Baymack was driving her friend and fellow officer, Marlene Rivera, 24, back into the city when her car slammed into a light pole and stanchion at roughly 4:30 a.m. on Sunrise Highway in Nassau County.

Ms. Rivera's sister, Janet Padilla, told the Daily News, "She was an angel. She was so young. She had so much to offer."

Over Alcohol Limit

Officer Baymack, 22, allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11, over the legal maximum of 0.08, investigators said. She was tested after a Nassau Police Sergeant on the scene smelled alcohol.

Ms. Baymack, who suffered facial lacerations, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. She has pleaded not guilty and was released on $40,000 bail. The NYPD has suspended her without pay.

The women reportedly had just driven home a colleague from a Queens nightclub. They had both graduated from the Police Academy in July and worked together at the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica, Queens.

Ms. Rivera's wake was scheduled for Sept. 26 at Seneca Chapel, 494 Seneca Ave., Ridgewood, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Her funeral was set for 11 a.m. the following day at the Metro International Church, 403 Evergreen Ave., Bushwick.