Fundraising effort under way to assist family of man killed in collision with police car
TROY — A Gofundme effort topped $33,000 as of Sunday afternoon for the family of a 30-year-old man killed early Wednesday morning in a collision with a city police SUV at Hoosick and 15th streets.
“I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to ask for your help in raising funds for my best friend Sabeh Alalkawi’s funeral and family. Sabeh was taken from us far too soon, leaving behind a loving wife, two newborn twins, and a family that relied on his support,” Yaser Khalil said in a posting on the site.
Khalili organized the Gofundme online fundraiser with Auday Khalil and Usama Khalid. They set a goal of raising $20,000 but donations from at least 459 people has surpassed that.
Troy detectives, State Police and the state Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation are continuing their investigation. The attorney general became involved under state law, which calls for investigations of deaths of civilians involving police officers. The State Police Collision Reconstruction from Troop G responded to the scene to reconstruct the accident for Troy police.
“The investigation continues as all three agencies analyze the vehicles and on-board diagnostics,” Troy Deputy Police Chief Steven Barker said Saturday. The agencies also are reviewing video from devices including surveillance cameras and any available from the police SUV and officers’ body cameras.
As the investigation continues, information will be released in conjunction with the attorney general’s office, Barker said.
At about 1 a.m., Officer Justin Byrnes was responding to a 911 call for a reported domestic violence call with his emergency lights and siren on, police said. The two vehicles collided in the vicinity of the intersection but details about direction of travel and rate of speed have not been disclosed. Byrnes was treated at Samaritan Hospital and released. He “is currently on paid administrative leave as is our department policy,” Barker said.
Alalkawi was working as a pizza deliveryman for Amante Pizza at 2304 15th St., just south of the intersection with Hoosick Street.
Yaser Khalil described Alalkawi in the Gofundme post “as full of kindness and love for all those around him. He was a hard worker who always put his family and loved ones first, and went out of his way to help anyone in need. He was the kind of person who would light up a room with his infectious smile and positive energy, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”