It was the groom who was driving the rented Maserati that crashed on his wedding day, killing himself and a fellow NYPD officer — with…
It was the groom who was driving the rented Maserati that crashed on his wedding day, killing himself and a fellow NYPD officer — with whom he switched seats right before the fatal smash-up, authorities said.
Newlywed Michael Colangelo, 31, who had 10 years on the force, and pal John Martinez, 39, a 16-year veteran with the department, were killed in the Sunday night crash in Ulster County’s town of Shandaken, state police said Wednesday.
Both men, from Long Island, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third person in the car, Wantagh, L. I., resident Cody Kalina, 28, was taken to Albany Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Despite investigators’ original belief that Martinez was driving when the trio left the wedding venue, officers later determined Colangelo and Martinez switched seats so they could both drive the speedy sports car.
Police also confirmed the rented 2018 luxury vehicle was speeding when it “left the roadway and struck a large tree before overturning and coming to rest on it’s roof,” according to a press release by state police.
Neither front-seat occupant was wearing a seat belt, officials said.
Police are awaiting toxicology results and their investigation is ongoing.
