A New York State trooper is facing murder charges after ramming his patrol car into a family’s car, causing a violent crash that killed an 11-year-old girl.
Authorities say Trooper Christopher Baldner used his patrol vehicle as a deadly weapon along the NYS Thruway in the County of Ulster on Dec. 22, 2020, local ABC affiliate WHAM-13 reports.
According to the indictment Baldner initiated a traffic stop after Tristan Goods was driving over the speed limit with his family inside. During the stop, Baldner allegedly deployed pepper spray into the vehicle for no reason, leading to Mr. Goods speeding away.
During the chase, Baldner rammed his vehicle into the Goods’ car twice, making it flip over several times, according to the police report. 11-year-old Monica Goods was thrown from the vehicle and died.
Authorities also revealed that Baldner engaged in prior similar conduct on two occasions leading to two prior motor vehicle collisions” in 2017 and 2019.
On Wednesday, Baldner was indicted on charges of murder, manslaughter and reckless endangerment, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
