Woman hit and killed by Buffalo Police officer

Buffalo Police say an officer, responding to a call, hit and killed a woman early Friday morning.

The officer, who has not been identified, was responding to that call on Starin Avenue.  The crash happened on Hertel near Tennyson Avenue about 6:30 a.m.

When an Eyewitness News photographer arrived on the scene he also saw the body of a person lying in the middle of the street.

Police say the victim is a female in her 60s who lives in the North Buffalo neighborhood.  Neighbors told police the woman often goes out for an early morning walk around the time of the crash.

Buffalo Police have been in contact with the Erie County District Attorney. The New York State Police accident investigation unit is handling collision reconstruction.

The New York Attorney General's Office is also investigating the incident.

“The Attorney General’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit has opened an investigation into this morning’s incident, pursuant to the Attorney General’s authority under Executive Order No. 147. We’re committed to conducting an independent, comprehensive, and fair investigation.”

The victim has not been identified, though police have extended condolences.  

It's unclear if the officer responding to the call had their lights or sirens on at the time of the crash.

Joseph Lotempio tells 7 Eyewitness News his wife, Susan, was the victim in this accident.

"It just shouldn't have happened," he said. "A wonderful, beautiful woman was taken from us."

Joseph and his daughter Dana say Susan was devoted to her family.

"She did everything for me," Joseph said. "She cut the grass. She shoveled snow. She told me what to wear. She put my clothes out for me."