By David Greene
The granddaughter of the Kingsbridge woman struck and killed by an off-duty detective says the cop is a disgrace to his badge by showing no remorse in the death.
Drana Nikac, 66, was collecting bottles at Kingsbridge Avenue and W. 232 Street, on October 30, when she was struck and killed by Detective Kevin Spellman, 42, assigned to The New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, that works in conjunction with the U.S. Marshal Service.
Shortly after the indictment was unsealed and released by the Bronx District Attorney on December 2, Nikac's granddaughter 25-year-old Sara Juncaj said of the charges now facing Spellman, "They've upgraded the charges because of speeding, and going through the red light and obviously the test results indicating .21 (Blood Alcohol content) after five-hours and 45-minutes," more than twice the legal limit.
Prior to the indictment, the most serious charge facing Spellman was vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, for which the decorated detective faced 7-years. But with an additional charge of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony, Spellman now faces 25-years.
Juncaj said of her family members participation in the proceeding, "In memory of my grandma, we will be sending a more important message behind why we are doing this," but would first let justice take it's course.
Juncaj said she was aware that other cops were allegedly protecting him. When Spellman was held at the 45th Precinct in Throggs Neck, several detectives and officers taped large garbage bags to a fence to prevent reporters from photographing or video taping the detective. Officers again attempted to block cameras at the courthouse.
Juncaj added "We were kind of disgusted, there was no remorse. We're human. We understand procedures, but we think the non verbal actions sometimes mean a lot, but there was no remorse shown, that's what's killing us right now."
Asked how the family was holding up, Juncaj stated, "Not well... we're very, very numb right now. I think that day in court was our first picture of reality."
Asked about the Child Passenger Protection Act, signed into law by Governor David Paterson on November 18, that gives authorities in New York, some of the toughest DWI laws in the nation, Juncaj replied, "You grieve the loss and then you grieve that you're a statistic, so something needed to be done."
Juncaj said her grandmother collected cans, "As a hobby," adding that Nikac would often donate the money to a local church, or would sometimes spend it on her grandchildren.
As a spokesperson for the entire family, Juncaj added, "We just want to thank everybody for their support. Her wake was beautiful. There was a 45-minute wait on line to get in." Juncaj added that hundreds turned out for the service in the Bronx and several thousand attended the funeral in Nikac's native Montenegro.
"She always said, 'When my time comes, I would like to be buried next to my husband,'" her granddaughter recalled. Nikac came to America to be closer to family members after the death of her husband 16-years ago.
Nikac is survived by two sisters, a brother and nine grandchildren.
Spellman, who pleaded not guilty, remains free after family members posted a $100,000 bond. Spellman's telephone at his Riverdale home has been disconnected. Spellman is due back in court on January 15, 2010.