Undercover NYPD Sergeant Charged with Manslaughter in Death of Suspect

An undercover NYPD sergeant has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of a drug suspect who crashed his scooter after the officer threw a cooler at him. Sgt. Erik Duran, 36, was arraigned in Bronx Supreme Court, facing charges of manslaughter, assault, and criminally negligent homicide. The incident occurred on August 23, 2023, in Kingsbridge Heights.

According to New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, Duran was conducting a buy-and-bust operation on Aqueduct Avenue when the suspect, Eric Duprey, attempted to flee on a motorized scooter. In an attempt to stop him, Duran grabbed a nearby cooler and hurled it at Duprey, striking him in the head and causing him to lose balance. Surveillance video captured the moment, showing Duprey veering into the street before crashing into a tree and ultimately landing under a parked vehicle.

Authorities determined that Duprey's cause of death was "blunt force injuries of the head." It was revealed that Duprey had sold crack cocaine to Sergeant Duran prior to fleeing on his scooter. The Sergeants' Benevolent Association (SBA) union criticized the charges brought against Duran, claiming that his actions were driven by concern for public safety.

SBA President Vincent Vallelong argued that Duprey was driving recklessly, endangering pedestrians and children at a speed of 40 mph on the sidewalk. Vallelong stated that had Duran not intervened, Duprey would have caused harm to numerous people, including the police officers present.

The defense emphasized Duran's split-second decision and his dedication to the safety of others. The SBA is confident that a thorough investigation will exonerate Duran of any misconduct or wrongdoing.

Prior to the incident, Duran faced death threats, prompting the NYPD to install security cameras at his home in Putnam County and station officers there.

Eric Duprey had a history of criminal activity, with at least two previous arrests, including an open felony assault case from June 2022. Police sources stated that Duprey allegedly threw a two-liter bottle of soda through a driver's window.

The manslaughter charge against Sergeant Duran carries a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The case will await further proceedings as the investigation continues.