New York Personal Injury Attorneys BlogDid NYPD Officers Break Protocol in Deadly Inwood Police Chase Crash? Family Seeks Answers After High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Fatal Fire
On April 2, 2025, a high-speed police chase through Upper Manhattan ended in tragedy when a stolen 2025 Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood and burst into flames. The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, was killed in the fiery wreck. Now, his family is demanding accountability—and legal experts are questioning whether NYPD officers violated pursuit policies that were specifically designed to prevent such outcomes.
As NYC car accident lawyers who have represented families in cases involving police chase fatalities, we understand the legal and emotional turmoil these cases leave behind. This incident, like many others, raises troubling questions about the balance between law enforcement efforts and public safety.
Family Left in Agony as Identification Delayed
For days, Carmen Colon, Mr. Guzman Parra’s stepmother, received no replies to her texts and feared the worst. It wasn’t until April 6—after repeated visits to precincts and a call to the medical examiner—that the family received confirmation that Francisco was the driver who died in the crash. His body had been burned beyond recognition. The cause of death: blunt impact injuries and thermal injuries.
NYPD Officers Suspended After Failing to Report Scene
Two officers involved in the chase have since been suspended amid an internal investigation into their actions. A senior law enforcement official confirmed that investigators are looking into whether the officers abandoned the scene without notifying emergency responders. If true, their failure to act could have deprived Mr. Guzman Parra of a chance at survival.
The officers were reportedly patrolling in the Bronx when they spotted what they believed to be a stolen vehicle and initiated pursuit. The Honda exited the Henry Hudson Parkway at Dyckman Street at a speed of nearly 100 miles per hour before crashing. Video evidence suggests the vehicle was not yet on fire when the officers were nearby—but questions remain about why they failed to intervene or alert responders immediately.
Did the Pursuit Violate NYPD Policy?
Just three months earlier, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch implemented reforms limiting high-speed pursuits to cases involving serious criminal activity. The policy shift was intended to reduce the risk of deadly crashes in New York City’s densely populated streets.
Yet the police union has stated that the pursuit was justified, given the suspected auto theft. Legal experts disagree. As police chase accident attorneys in NYC, we know that even in cases involving suspected criminal behavior, law enforcement officers are still bound by rules of proportionality and public safety.
Civil Rights and Wrongful Death Implications
For families like Mr. Guzman Parra’s, the legal issues extend beyond the crash itself. When officers allegedly flee the scene or fail to provide aid, they may expose themselves—and their departments—to civil liability. Under New York law, wrongful death claims may be pursued if police misconduct or negligence contributed to a fatal crash.
The involvement of the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division and the State Attorney General’s Office indicates this case may result in disciplinary actions, criminal referrals, or civil litigation.
Seeking Justice After a Police Pursuit Crash
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we represent families who have lost loved ones in police chase accidents across New York City. These are not just car crashes—they are catastrophic events often linked to policy violations, poor judgment, or reckless disregard for human life.
Francisco Guzman Parra’s story is not isolated. When high-speed pursuits go wrong, innocent lives are shattered—and it’s our responsibility as trial lawyers to hold the system accountable.
If you lost a loved one in a police pursuit accident in NYC, contact our experienced police chase car accident attorneys at 212-943-1090. We offer free consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis—meaning you don’t pay a penny unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, and no legal fees during the process. We fight to uncover the truth and secure justice for grieving families.
