In a tragic turn of events, a New York City police sergeant has been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and assault after hurling a plastic cooler at a motorcyclist who was attempting to flee from officers. The incident resulted in a crash that claimed the life of the rider.

The accused officer, Erik Duran, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in the Bronx and posted bail set at $150,000. Duran, 37, was suspended following the death of Eric Duprey and was subsequently placed on modified duty. A show of support was observed at the court hearing, with dozens of police officers standing in solidarity with Duran.

The charges were announced by the office of state Attorney General Letitia James, which is responsible for investigating all deaths involving police officers. Eric Duprey, 30, tragically lost his life within minutes of being struck on a Bronx sidewalk last August. NYPD reported that Duprey had been allegedly involved in drug dealings with an undercover officer and was attempting to evade arrest on a friend's motorcycle. However, Duprey's mother, Gretchen Soto, disputed this account, claiming that her son was on a video call with her shortly before the incident and was not involved in any drug-related activities.

The incident occurred during a "buy-and-bust" operation carried out by the Bronx Narcotics Unit, in which Duran was participating. Surveillance footage captured the moment when Duprey was riding the motorcycle on the sidewalk towards a group of people, including Sergeant Duran, who was not in uniform. As the motorcyclist approached, the video shows Duran picking up a red picnic cooler and throwing it, resulting in Duprey losing control of the motorcycle, striking a tree, and ultimately crashing into a metal barricade.

After the arraignment, Duran's attorney, John D'Alessandro, argued that Duprey was driving the motorcycle at a high speed of 40 mph (64 kph) on a crowded sidewalk, endangering both bystanders and officers. D'Alessandro maintained that Duran made a split-second decision in an attempt to prevent serious injury or death to those in the vicinity. He emphasized that this indictment sends a message to both society and law enforcement personnel, claiming that the streets of New York belong to criminals.

Eric Duprey, who leaves behind three young children, worked as a delivery driver. His family's attorney, Jonathan Roberts, released a statement expressing their disappointment, stating that seeing Duran in handcuffs provides little consolation to a grieving family struggling to comprehend how an officer could act so recklessly, leading to the death of an unarmed man.

It was revealed that Duran, a 13-year veteran of the NYPD, joined the Bronx Narcotics Unit in 2022. He has received numerous recognitions for his exemplary service throughout his career, as documented in the police personnel database. Additionally, his disciplinary record reveals a substantiated complaint in 2022 for abusing his authority during a stop, according to the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board.

The indictment against Duran includes charges of second-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, and criminally negligent homicide. New York Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the case, stating that it is within the attorney general's jurisdiction to handle. However, Adams noted that throwing a cooler is not a tactic employed by the NYPD when apprehending suspects, highlighting that such actions are not part of the department's policies.

As this case unfolds, it raises important discussions regarding police conduct and the responsibility of law enforcement in ensuring the safety of both the public and themselves. The outcome of this trial will have far-reaching implications for policing practices in New York City and beyond.