“Eric Duprey: Police Sergeant Charged with Manslaughter in Death of 30-Year-Old Motorcyclist”

1. “NYPD cop charged death man hit cooler”
2. “NYPD cop charged in man’s death cooler incident”.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Photo: Stephanie Keith/The New York Times

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in the Bronx, resulting in the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey. The incident involved a police sergeant, Erik Duran, who struck Duprey with a cooler, causing him to fall off his motorbike. Following a five-month investigation, the state attorney general’s office announced that Duran has been charged with manslaughter. Here’s what we know so far.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening at the intersection of 192nd and Aqueduct Streets in the Bronx. Undercover narcotics officers were conducting a sting operation to apprehend potential drug dealers. According to The New York Times, Duprey was observed selling drugs to one of the disguised officers, which prompted the officers to attempt an arrest. In an attempt to escape, Duprey hopped on his motorbike and sped away from the officers.

A witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, informed the New York Daily News that Duprey was moving north on the bike with the police in pursuit. Suddenly, Duprey took a U-turn and began riding on the sidewalk. The witness further stated, “Then he took a U-turn and was riding on the sidewalk. … The cop then took my cooler, which was filled with soda cans, water bottles, and hit him.” Surveillance video footage confirmed that Duprey was struck at close range by a man in plainclothes, later identified as Duran. The impact caused Duprey to hit the ground, and emergency services were called to the scene. Unfortunately, Duprey was pronounced dead.

The city’s medical examiner determined that Duprey’s cause of death was blunt force trauma and officially declared it a homicide. Duprey leaves behind three children, aged 9, 5, and 3, according to the Associated Press. His wife, Orlyanis Velez, shared the two youngest children with him. Velez expressed her anguish, stating that she has yet to inform her children about their father’s death. She said, “I’m just thinking right now how I’m going to tell my kids that their father’s not here anymore. When they ask me, ‘Why?’ Because an officer, police, killed my husband. Nobody knows the way that this feels.”

Erika Duprey Soto, Eric’s sister, revealed that her brother occasionally worked as a delivery driver for popular food delivery services, DoorDash and Uber Eats. She mentioned that he was riding the same scooter he used for his deliveries when he was attacked. Soto expressed her disbelief and grief, saying, “I still can’t understand what happened. He’s gone. I loved my brother to death.”

Gretchen Soto, Duprey’s mother, vehemently denied the police’s narrative that her son was involved in buying drugs, labeling it as “lies.” She disclosed that she was on a video call with Duprey at the time of the incident and stated, “He wasn’t fleeing. He wasn’t fleeing. He was just on the motorcycle talking to me on the video chat. And he passed by that place when all of a sudden the call cut out.”

As the investigation continues, questions remain about Duprey’s criminal record, if any. Meanwhile, a growing memorial of candles and photos has formed at the site of Duprey’s death as friends, family, and neighbors mourn the loss of a loved one.

Duran, a 13-year veteran of the police force, has been suspended for 30 days. According to police records, Duran has faced 17 misconduct complaints throughout his career, with only one being substantiated. He was disciplined in July for wrongfully stopping an individual known to the department. Andrew Quinn, Duran’s lawyer, expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would exonerate his client of any misconduct or wrongdoing.

In a statement released shortly after the incident, the police department emphasized its commitment to a full, thorough, and transparent investigation. The state attorney general’s office is leading the investigation, with the department’s assistance. The announcement made on January 23 by Attorney General Letitia James revealed that Duran had been indicted on charges of manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the first and second degrees, as well as criminally negligent homicide. If convicted, Duran could face up to 25 years in prison for the manslaughter charge. Duran has entered a not guilty plea and has posted $150,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 18.

As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a somber reminder of the need for accountability and transparency within law enforcement. The loss of Eric Duprey has left a community mourning and questioning the circumstances that led to his tragic death..

1. NYPD cop charged in death of man he hit with a cooler
2. NYPD cop charged in fatal incident involving a cooler.