UPDATE: Former Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky is being charged in connection with a late night hit-and-run accident. Pennsylvania State Police say Gretsky was driving a police SUV that crashed into a parked vehicle on E. 22nd and Hyatt streets late Sunday, then took off.
Gretsky is accused of reckless driving, careless driving, and other traffic-related charges.
Chester officials put Gretsky on leave pending an investigation into the collision. He resigned Tuesday.
Original story below:
The police commissioner for the City of Chester retired suddenly Tuesday after being involved in an accident in his police vehicle in the early morning on Monday.
The Office of the Receiver released this statement: “The City of Chester placed Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky on administrative leave on Monday, Jan. 27, pending an investigation into a traffic incident on the night of Sunday, Jan. 26. Major Katrina Blackwell will serve as acting commissioner, while the investigation continues.”
Published reports say Gretsky’s vehicle hit a parked delivery van near East 22nd Street and Hyatt Street in Chester shortly after midnight Monday.
The Pennsylvania State Police are handling the investigation into the accident. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Mayor Stefan Roots referred questions about the incident to a public relations firm, which released this statement: “Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky informed Mayor Stefan Roots that he will retire, effective end of day on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The city thanks Commissioner Gretsky for his service to the residents of Chester. Major Katrina Blackwell will serve as interim commissioner, while a search is conducted.”
Gretsky was promoted from deputy police commissioner to commissioner in October 2020 by former Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, according to a city press release. Gretsky is a Chester native who started with the police department in 2003. He served in the patrol division for 12 years before becoming patrol sergeant in 2015, followed by promotion to major. He was appointed deputy commissioner in January 2020.