Motorcycle PIAA involving OFF DUTY Kent Police Officer

[LCFD968 10]

Keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers he has a long road a head of him....

from www.lohud.com

Kent police officer loses part of leg in motorcycle crash

Chris Serico

The Journal News

KENT - A 23-year-old town police officer had part of his left leg amputated after his motorcycle collided with a sport utility vehicle yesterday afternoon, police said.

Kevin Radovich was off-duty when he rode his 2008 Suzuki east around a curve and over the center line of Farmer Mills Road, where he collided head-on with a 2002 Ford Explorer about 12:40 p.m., police said.

Responding to a 911 call, emergency responders from Kent and Lake Carmel treated Radovich at the scene before a STAT Flight helicopter transported him to Westchester Medical Center.

"He did lose the lower part of his left leg," police Lt. Alex Divernieri said last night.

Neither the driver of the Explorer, 46-year-old Gary Martin of Stormville, N.Y., nor his 9-year-old son of the same name was injured, police said. No charges were expected to be filed.

Police were investigating the cause of the crash.

"Alcohol definitely was not a factor," Divernieri said.

Divernieri last night spoke highly of Radovich, who joined the force a year ago.

"He is the most outstanding young man that I know that we've hired," Divernieri said. "Being a police officer was something that he wanted to do since he was a kid."

As a teen, Radovich was a part of the Kent Police Department's cadet program, Divernieri said. Within a week of graduating from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a bachelor's degree in forensic psychology, he was hired by the department, Divernieri said.

Radovich's father, David Radovich, owns a musical instrument store, Radovich and Dean, in Carmel.

On the store's Web site, it says the son, "an accomplished clarinetist," pitches in to help the business.

Efforts to reach the family last night were unsuccessful.

"He's got a good family, and he's an all-out good young man," Divernieri said.

Divernieri said that with 21 years of experience working for the Kent Police Department, he probably could not recall a Kent officer injured so seriously.

The lieutenant said he hoped that Radovich might be able to rejoin the force someday.

"I don't know the total extent of his injuries, but I am hoping to have him return," he said.

Edited May 5, 2008 by LCFD968

[JBE 328]

Not good. Definitely in my thoughts. I'm trying to remember where Huestis Field is, but there are definitely a lot of curves on the road you gotta watch out for.

[pfdfirefighter01 1]

if im correct, its near rte 301

[Guest MVFD334]

Farmers Mill Rd is pretty tight in some areas and the turns are very sharp, but that goes for alot of the backroads in Kent and Putnam Valley.

[LCFD968 10]

Quick Update....

Cops, community reach out to Kent officer who lost part of leg in crash

Terence Corcoran

The Journal News

KENT - Kent police have fielded more than a dozen calls today from police departments throughout Putnam and Westchester counties inquiring about Officer Kevin Radovich, who lost part of his left leg yesterday in a motorcycle accident.

"Everyone wants to know how he's doing and if there's anything they can do to help." Lt. Alex DiVernieri said.

DiVernieri and Chief Donald L. Smith are planning to head to the Westchester Medical Center at 11 a.m. today to visit with Radovich, 23.

Radovich joined the Kent Police Department one year ago this month, fulfilling a lifelong dream to be a Kent police officer.

DiVernieri said it's too early to say if Radovich will be able to return to the job but said Kent police would do everything they could to make it possible.

"Everyone who knows him knows that he is a most determined young man who can do anything he puts his mind to. He's going to get a lot of support from his fellow police officers and the community at large," DiVernieri said.

Town Supervisor Kathleen Doherty met with DiVernieri earlier today for an update and to offer the town's assistance. Doherty's family has known the Radovich family for years.

Radovich's father, David, is known for the popular music store he's run on Route 52 in Carmel for years. David Radovich and his wife, Cindy, were at the hospital this morning and their daughter is flying in from Florida.

DiVernieri said that Radovich is the type of son any parent would want - polite, respectful and hard-working.

"As he was being placed in the ambulance, he was apologizing to his sergeant (Jerry Ranieri)," he said. "The nurses at the medical center were commenting on how polite he was. Never once did he complain about the pain."

Radovich was driving on Farmer Mills Road around 12:40 p.m. yesterday when his motorcycle crossed the centerline and collided with an SUV.

"Looking at the scene, if he were a couple of inches more to the left, the injuries would be much more severe," DiVernieri said.