A New York City police sergeant was convicted of second-degree manslaughter Friday for tossing a heavy picnic cooler at a suspect fleeing on a motorized scooter, an act that led to the man’s death in the Bronx in 2023. The decision, handed down in Bronx Supreme Court, comes amid intense scrutiny of police use of force and represents one of the few times an NYPD officer has been found criminally responsible for a fatal encounter while on duty.
Bench Verdict: Judge Rules Officer’s Actions Unjustified
Judge Guy Mitchell concluded that Sgt. Erik Duran’s conduct was reckless and unjustified under the circumstances, finding him guilty of second-degree manslaughter after a bench trial that began in mid-January. Duran, 38, had faced multiple charges in connection with the August 2023 death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey, who crashed into a tree and suffered fatal head trauma after losing control of his scooter when struck by the cooler.
The assault charge brought against the sergeant was dismissed earlier in the proceedings, as prosecutors did not convince the judge that Duran intended to harm Duprey. The more serious manslaughter charge was upheld.
Incident Details: Fleeing Suspect and Fatal Crash
According to prosecutors, the incident unfolded in the Bronx during an undercover drug operation. Duprey was allegedly fleeing on a motorized scooter after a transaction with an undercover officer when Duran grabbed a picnic cooler filled with drinks and hurled it at him. The impact caused Duprey to lose control, crash, and sustain fatal injuries.
Duran testified that he made the split-second decision to throw the cooler to protect fellow officers, a claim that the prosecution disputed by asserting that he had time to consider other options or issue warnings.
Sentencing Outlook and Public Reaction
Under New York law, second-degree manslaughter carries a potential prison term of 5 to 15 years. Duran’s sentencing is scheduled for March 19, and he faces significant time behind bars. The conviction also resulted in his dismissal from the NYPD, as required by state law following a guilty verdict in such cases.
Family members of Duprey expressed both relief and emotion outside the courthouse, while law enforcement representatives criticized the ruling as a dangerous precedent for officers making split-second decisions in the field.
