Driver Charged in DWI Crash that Killed Cop

A Long Island man was charged Monday in a drunk driving crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer.

Nassau County prosecutors say Jonathan Lopez, 20, was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, DWI and third-degree assault.

His lawyer, Fred Pollack, declined comment.

State police said Officer Kevin Jessup, 25, was driving on the Southern State Parkway in Massapequa at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday when he was rear-ended by Lopez, who also struck another vehicle.

Police say Jessup was pronounced dead. His passenger, 30-year-old Crystal Simons, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The NYPD says Jessup joined the force in July 2008 and was assigned to the 106th Precinct.

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