NYPD Sergeant Convicted in Death of Bronx Man

Erik Duran found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for throwing cooler at fleeing suspect

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A New York City police sergeant has been found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for the 2023 death of a Bronx man whom the officer hit with a cooler as the man fled on a motorbike after selling cocaine to an undercover detective.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the use of force by police officers and the need for better training and accountability measures to prevent unnecessary deaths during law enforcement encounters.

The details

Judge Guy H. Mitchell found the sergeant, Erik Duran, 38, guilty in the death of Eric Duprey, 30, who sped off after a drug transaction. Duran then threw a cooler at Duprey, knocking him off the bike and causing fatal injuries.

  • The incident occurred in 2023.

The players

Erik Duran

A 38-year-old New York City police sergeant who was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter.

Eric Duprey

A 30-year-old Bronx man who died after being struck by a cooler thrown by Sergeant Duran while fleeing on a motorbike.

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What’s next

Duran will be sentenced at a later date, and the case may prompt further scrutiny of police tactics and use of force policies.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of de-escalation training, proportional use of force, and comprehensive accountability measures to ensure public trust and safety in policing.