A New York state trooper was indicted for murder in connection with the death of an 11-year-old Brooklyn girl on the New York State Thruway last December, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Christopher Baldner allegedly rammed into a vehicle that had fled a traffic stop, causing it to flip over, killing young Monica Goods, Attorney General Letitia James wrote in a Wednesday press release.
Baldner had pulled over the girl’s father, Tristan Goods, for speeding in Ulster County on the night of Dec. 22, 2020.
At some point during the traffic stop, Baldner deployed pepper spray in the car. Tristan, his wife Monica, and the girl’s 12-year-old sister were also in the car.
Tristan then sped away and Baldner pursued the scofflaw with a vengeance — twice ramming his patrol car into the back of the Goods’ vehicle at a high rate of speed, according to the state’s top prosecutor.
The second impact cause the car to flip over several times and ejected Monica, killing her, James alleged.
Baldner, 43, was charged with second-degree murder, along with manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges, prosecutors said. He faces 25 years to life in prison.
“Trooper Baldner surrendered this morning and was immediately suspended without pay. The State Police investigated this matter and cooperated with the AG’s office and will continue to do so,” the NYSP said in a statement to The Post.
“As with every State Police investigation, our mission is to determine facts and ensure that justice is served, even when it involves one of our own members. Accountability is critically important to our agency.”
The Goods were heading north on I-87 to visit relatives for Christmas, according to the release.
“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,” said James.
“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.”
In 2019, Baldner also used his vehicle to ram into the back of a car, endangering the lives of three passengers, prosecutors said.