Police say NYPD officer killed in crash was behind wheel

Nassau police Friday identified an off-duty New York City police officer killed in a single-car crash in Westbury as the driver of the vehicle.

Fred Barraza, 33, of Williston Park, was killed in the early morning accident Thursday, Nassau police said, adding he worked for the New York Police Department's 110th Precinct, based in Elmhurst. An NYPD spokeswoman said Barraza was hired in 2006.

Jose Valdevenito, 35, of Westbury, a passenger in the car, remains in critical condition at Nassau University Medical Center with serious head trauma, police said. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known.

The car was mangled almost beyond recognition. Nassau Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said excessive speed was likely a factor in the accident.

Smith said the black 1994 Honda Accord Barraza was driving was traveling at "a high rate of speed" when the crash occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on Carman Avenue in Westbury. "There was no indication of any alcohol or drug involvement at the scene," he said.

Four people in another car saw the Honda approaching quickly from behind. It passed them on the right and cut in front of them, Smith said.

The Honda then veered out of control, crossed into the southbound lanes, struck a curb, hit a tree, spun around and struck a second tree.

Police said Valdevenito was ejected.

Both victims were taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where Barraza was pronounced dead Thursday at 3:10 a.m., police said.