Police Sergeant Testifies in Manslaughter Trial

A police sergeant from New York City took the stand on Monday during his trial, where he faces manslaughter charges for throwing a drink cooler at a man on a scooter, resulting in the man’s death.

Sgt. Eric Duran, 38, stated, “I thought he was going to kill my men,” while testifying in Bronx Supreme Court about the incident involving Eric Duprey on August 23, 2023.

Duran described how Duprey was speeding dangerously close to his colleagues. “He was going so fast that he almost hit them,” he claimed.

The prosecution asserts that Duran threw a full igloo cooler at Duprey as he attempted to flee from a sting operation on Aqueduct Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights. This action led to Duprey crashing into a tree and suffering fatal injuries, sustaining significant trauma from the fall.

In his testimony, Duran contended that Duprey was riding intentionally close to the officers. “I realized it was the suspect…he was staring at me,” Duran recounted, emphasizing Duprey’s speed and build. “He was ready to make an impact,” he added.

Wearing a charcoal suit, Duran mentioned that he tried to help Duprey immediately after the crash, saying, “Can you hear me? Can you hear me?” He then described observing Duprey’s severe injuries and calling for help, expressing hope that things weren’t as dire as they seemed.

Duran is notable as the first NYPD officer tried for causing a death while on duty since a 2021 law mandated investigations by the state attorney general’s office into incidents involving police.

During cross-examination, prosecutors questioned Duran about whether throwing the cooler was necessary, suggesting he could have de-escalated the situation instead.

“Yeah, maybe it didn’t get in the way,” Duran acknowledged.

Prosecutor Joseph Bianco inquired if they could avoid the incident by stepping aside, to which Duran responded that his fellow officers were unaware of the imminent danger due to distractions.

He asserted, “All I had to think about was how to stop the bike at that speed and hit my guys.” Interestingly, Duran downplayed the weight of the cooler, insisting it was “not heavy,” despite evidence indicating it was filled with drinks and ice.

Closing arguments are set for Tuesday, and the trial is being held without a jury. Bronx Supreme Court Judge Guy Mitchell will ultimately render the verdict. Should Duran be convicted of second-degree manslaughter, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though a lesser charge could result in a maximum of four years.