NYPD Officers Charged with Covering Up Colleague's Drunk Driving Crash

Prosecutors say Officers Caligiuri and McLoughlin hid evidence and let the driver leave the scene.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Two New York City police officers, Michael Caligiuri and Ryan McLoughlin, have been charged with covering up a drunk driving crash involving an off-duty colleague in 2024. Prosecutors say the officers failed to properly investigate the incident, communicated via text to avoid recording their conversation, and allowed the driver to leave the scene without reporting it.

Why it matters

This case highlights issues of police accountability and misconduct, as officers are rarely criminally charged for actions taken while on duty. It raises concerns about a 'blue wall of silence' culture within the NYPD where officers protect their own, even when they have allegedly broken the law.

The details

According to prosecutors, on October 16, 2024, Caligiuri and McLoughlin responded to a 911 call about a crash involving a drunk driver in a 2020 Infiniti SUV. They allegedly knew the driver was an off-duty police officer, Eli Garcia, but did not question him about being intoxicated. The officers then communicated via text to avoid recording their conversation, removed a body camera, and allowed Garcia to leave the scene without reporting it. Hours later, a police captain found Garcia drunk and unfit for duty at his apartment.

  • On October 16, 2024, Caligiuri and McLoughlin responded to the 911 call about the crash.
  • In 2024, Garcia pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to a conditional discharge.
  • In 2026, Caligiuri and McLoughlin were arrested and charged with multiple counts related to the cover-up.

The players

Michael Caligiuri

An NYPD officer charged with tampering with public records, falsifying business records, tampering with physical evidence, and official misconduct for his role in covering up a drunk driving crash involving an off-duty colleague.

Ryan McLoughlin

An NYPD officer charged alongside Caligiuri for their alleged actions in covering up the drunk driving crash.

Eli Garcia

The off-duty NYPD officer who was allegedly driving drunk and involved in the 2024 crash. He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and has since resigned from the department.

Patrick Hendry

The president of the Police Benevolent Association, who led a group of dozens of NYPD colleagues to the court hearing in support of Caligiuri and McLoughlin.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.