- New York City Police Department Sergeant Eric Duran has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly throwing a plastic cooler at a man fleeing on a motorcycle, causing the fatal crash.
- The charges stem from the death of motorcyclist Eric Dupree, 30, who was struck by a cooler on a sidewalk in the Bronx last August.
- Mr. Duran pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in the Bronx and was released on $150,000 bail.
A New York City police sergeant is charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault after he threw a plastic cooler at a man fleeing from police on a motorcycle, causing an accident that killed the motorcyclist. It was done.
Eric Duran pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in the Bronx on Tuesday and his bail was set at $150,000. Dozens of police officers appeared in court in support of him.
Duran, 37, was suspended immediately after the incident and subsequently placed on modified duty.
New York City police sergeant suspended without pay after throwing plastic cooler at man on motorcycle, causing death
The indictment was announced by state Attorney General Letitia James' office, which investigates all deaths at the hands of police officers.
A New York City Police Department vehicle is seen on the street near Union Square Park in Manhattan, New York City, May 2023. An NYPD sergeant threw a plastic cooler at a man fleeing from a police officer on a motorcycle, causing a fatal crash. Ryder was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
Messages seeking comment were left with Duran's union and attorney.
Motorcyclist Eric Dupree, 30, was pronounced dead within minutes of being run over on a Bronx sidewalk last August. Police said Dupree tried to flee on his friend's motorcycle after he was caught selling drugs to an undercover police officer.
Duran was standing on the sidewalk as part of a “buy-and-buy operation” carried out by the Bronx Drug Enforcement Agency.
New York City cuts police force, cuts budget as billions spent on immigration crisis
Surveillance video showed Dupree driving his motorcycle on the sidewalk toward a group of people, including a sergeant who was not in uniform. The video shows Duran picking up a red picnic cooler and throwing it as he approaches. Dupree lost control of the vehicle and was thrown into a tree when it ran off the road. The motorcycle crashed into a metal barricade and then a parked car before coming to a stop.
Dupree had three young children and worked as a delivery driver.
Duran, a 13-year veteran of the department, joined the Bronx Narcotics Task Force in 2022. Duran has been recognized by the department dozens of times for outstanding police work, according to the police personnel database.
Duran's disciplinary record includes a substantiated complaint in 2022 of abusing his authority during a traffic stop, according to the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Duran's next court date is April 18.
