On Tuesday, a New York City police sergeant was charged by the New York State Attorney General’s Office for hurling a cooler at a scooter driver, leading to the rider’s fatal crash and subsequent death in August.
Sergeant Erik Duran now faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, first and second-degree assault, and criminally negligent homicide in connection with the incident involving Eric Duprey. If found guilty of the primary charge in the indictment, Duran could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Duran entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment in the Bronx and posted bail, which had been established at $150,000. Numerous police officers attended the court proceedings to show their support.
According to Duran’s lawyer, Duprey was allegedly driving the motorcycle at 40 mph on a congested sidewalk, posing a risk to both bystanders and police officers.
Attorney John D’Alessandro said in a statement that “Sgt. Duran made a split second decision to prevent serious injury or death to those citizens and officers. This indictment sends a clear message to society and every law enforcement officer in this state. In today’s New York, the streets belong to the criminals.”
Duran’s association, the Sergeants’ Benevolent Association, did not promptly respond to a comment request.
On August 23, while conducting an undercover drug purchase operation in the Bronx, Duran confronted Duprey, who attempted to escape arrest on his motorcycle.
Surveillance footage depicts Duran seizing a plastic cooler from a nearby table and hurling it at Duprey, hitting him in the head.
As a result, Duprey lost control of his vehicle, colliding with a nearby tree and striking his head on the curb. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Duran, aged 37, was suspended without pay shortly after the incident and later placed on modified duty. He has been under investigation by the New York State Attorney General for several months and is scheduled to appear in court on April 18.
Orlyalis Velez, Duprey’s wife, has called for Duran to be incarcerated.
