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American Morning

Seventeen New York City Police Officers Being Disciplined After Officer Allegedly Killed an Entire Family Driving Drunk

Aired August 09, 2001 - 09:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Seventeen New York City police officers are being disciplined after another officer allegedly killed an entire family while he was driving drunk. Officer Joseph Gray and nine other officers had allegedly been drinking on the morning of the accident. Gray is accused of multiple counts of manslaughter. The victims are being buried this morning.

CNN's Jason Carroll is live in New York with more.

Jason, good morning.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

And a very sad story that it is. The mayor has called the results of a police investigation into this a major event. Seventeen officers were disciplined for drinking or failing to supervise those who were drinking with officer Joseph Gray the day of that accident. Officer Gray is accused in the DWI accident involving Maria Herrera, her 4-year-old son, Andy. Her sister, Dolcia Penna (ph). Herrera was eight-months pregnant and an emergency cesarean section could not save her baby.

Funeral services are about to get under way. We want to come back out here live, so you can take a look at all of the people who have gathered in the front of the church of St. Michael. Hundreds of people are expected to attend. The mayor is expected to be here as well. The family has said all along that they want justice. And the mayor says that he wants justice as well, and he also says, Leon, that this investigation into this accident is not over -- Leon.

HARRIS: Jason, do you know whether or not there will be any representatives from the police department in attendance today?

CARROLL: Absolutely. Representatives is from 72nd precinct, which is the precinct where officer Gray was stationed, will be here. Other dignitaries from the police officer -- from the New York Police Department will be here as well, as well as other candidates who are running for mayor. A lot of people in the community in the community, here in Brooklyn, and throughout the city of New York are expected to attend.

HARRIS: All right, thank you very much, Jason Carroll in New York. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com