New York, NY — A New York Police Department sergeant has been suspended without pay following an incident where he threw a picnic cooler at a motorbike rider, resulting in the man’s death. The deceased has been identified as Eric Duprey.
According to a statement from the New York Attorney General’s office, the incident took place on the evening of August 23 near 2505 Aqueduct Avenue in Queens. NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran threw a cooler at Duprey, who was on a motorbike.
The impact caused Duprey to lose control and fall, leading to his death at the scene.
The NYPD said in a news release that Duprey was attempting to evade police at the time of the incident. The statement also confirmed Duran’s suspension and noted that there would be a “full, thorough, and transparent investigation.”
A law enforcement official elaborated that the incident began with Duprey attempting to sell narcotics to plainclothes officers in the Bronx.
When police attempted to make an arrest, an individual provided Duprey with a motorbike, which he used to flee. Duran reportedly threw the cooler at Duprey’s head as he rode on the sidewalk toward officers, causing him to collide with a tree, a car, and finally the pavement.
The New York Attorney General’s office has opened an investigation into the incident.
