A New York state trooper has been charged in the death of an 11-year-old Brooklyn girl after he allegedly used his police cruiser to intentionally ram into her family's SUV.
Christopher Baldner was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and reckless endangerment in Ulster County Court Wednesday for the December 2020 crash that killed Monica Goods, 11.
According to the indictment, the Goods family was traveling in a Dodge Journey, driven by father Tristan Goods, on the New York State Thruway - near mile marker 92 - on December 22 when Baldner pulled the vehicle over for speeding.
Tristan claims an argument broke out, Baldner lost his temper, and released pepper spray into the vehicle.
The husband and father of two, who said he feared for his life, sped off, prompting a pursuit that ended when Baldner rammed his cruiser into the rear of the family's SUV twice. The second strike caused the car to hit a guard rail, flip over several times and eject Monica from her seat - killing her - before coming to a rest upside down.
A New York state trooper has been charged in the death of Monica Goods, an 11-year-old from Brooklyn, after he allegedly used his police cruiser to intentionally ram into her family's SUV
'Police officers are entrusted to protect and serve, but Trooper Baldner allegedly violated that trust when he used his car as a deadly weapon and killed a young girl,' New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
'While nothing will bring Monica back, we must hold law enforcement to the highest standards, which is why my office is committed to seeking justice in this case.'
Baldner was arraigned Wednesday and taken into custody. His bail hearing is set for Thursday, November 4.
If convicted, he could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The indictment comes after New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order last
