MIT Student Killed In Crash Involving Alleged Drunken NYPD Officer

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) — An MIT student was killed over the weekend in New York City when an off-duty police officer's vehicle hit four people in Brooklyn.

Andrew Esquivel, 21, died early Saturday after an out-of-control SUV driven by 28-year-old New York City Police Officer Nicholas Batka ran up onto a sidewalk, hitting Esquivel and three others.

Two of the survivors were identified by MIT as current student Sophia Tabchouri and alumnus James Balchunas. Both were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Esquivel was a rising senior majoring in electrical engineering and computer science. He was working in the city as an intern for the mobile marketing firm Appboy, the New York Daily News reports. Esquivel was reportedly walking home when he was hit.

"I express, on behalf of the entire MIT community, our deepest sympathy to Drew's family and friends," MIT Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart wrote in a letter to members of the MIT community on Monday.

"To Sophia and James, we extend our best hopes for their recovery and we offer them and their families any support we can. And to the larger circle of their MIT friends and connections, we join you in your shock and grief."

Police say Batka has worked in the department's Manhattan transit bureau for 1½ years and has been suspended. He's charged with manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and other offenses.

He posted $300,000 bond and was released. A judge ordered his driving license suspended.

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