Erik Duprey: Former NYPD Sergeant Receives Prison Sentence in Manslaughter Case
A former New York City police sergeant, Erik Duran, was sentenced on Thursday to a prison term of three to nine years for the manslaughter conviction stemming from the 2023 death of Eric Duprey. The incident involved Duran throwing a picnic cooler at Duprey, who was attempting to flee on a motorized scooter, ultimately leading to a fatal crash.
The Incident and Duran’s Defense
Duran claimed he acted to protect fellow officers from the approaching scooter. He expressed remorse, stating, “I took this job to save lives. I felt terrible once I saw Eric Duprey crash,” and insisted he “did everything he could” to help after the accident. Addressing Duprey’s family directly in Spanish, he added, “I never wanted this to happen.”
However, Judge Guy Mitchell rejected Duran’s justification, asserting that the ex-sergeant was motivated by frustration at Duprey’s escape and reacted by throwing the cooler. Prosecutors from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office had requested a sentence of three to nine years, arguing Duran recklessly caused Duprey’s death and attempted to cover up his actions.
A Case Dividing Opinions
The case has ignited passionate debate, with Duran’s union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, rallying support through an online petition signed by thousands of officers. Ahead of the sentencing, officers in NYPD jackets gathered at the Bronx courthouse, while a separate group of protesters demanded justice for Duprey. This highlights the deep divisions within the community regarding police actions and accountability.
Details of the Tragic Event
The incident occurred on August 23, 2023, during a “buy-and-bust” operation in the Bronx. Duprey, accused of selling drugs to an undercover officer, attempted to flee on a scooter. Surveillance footage shows Duran, not in uniform, throwing a cooler filled with ice, water, and sodas at Duprey, who was driving on a sidewalk. The impact caused Duprey to lose control, crash into a tree, and suffer fatal head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet at the time.
Prosecutors argued Duran had ample time to warn bystanders but instead acted out of anger. Duran testified he believed Duprey posed an immediate threat to other officers. He stated, “He was gonna crash into us… All I had time for was to try again to stop or to try to get him to change directions.”
The Aftermath and Duprey’s Family’s Grief
Duran, an NYPD officer for 13 years, was suspended after the crash and subsequently dismissed from the force following his conviction in February. Duprey, a delivery driver and father of three young children, had his life tragically cut short. His mother, Gretchen Soto, expressed her profound grief, stating, “There are no words to express what I feel,” and emphasizing that her son “is not just a name, not just one more case.” She disputed police claims regarding drug sales and flight from officers.
Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong criticized the conviction, stating it sends “a terrible message to hard-working cops” about the risks of defending themselves and their colleagues.
You can find more information about police accountability and related issues at The Marshall Project and The American Civil Liberties Union.
