NYPD Officers Accused of Covering Up Off-Duty Cop's Drunk Driving Crash

Prosecutors say the officers went to "great lengths" to protect their colleague from accountability.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Two NYPD officers, Michael Caligiuri and Ryan McLoughlin, are accused of covering up an off-duty cop's drunk driving crash in Manhattan two years ago. The officers allegedly protected Officer Eli Garcia after he crashed his Infiniti near West 26th Street and Eighth Avenue, going so far as to manipulate their body-worn cameras to avoid recording the incident.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about potential corruption and lack of accountability within the NYPD, as well as the public's trust in law enforcement. The alleged actions of the officers undermine the principles of equal treatment under the law and could further erode confidence in the police department.

The details

According to prosecutors, when Caligiuri and McLoughlin arrived at the scene, Garcia showed them his NYPD identification. However, Caligiuri allegedly never questioned Garcia about his intoxication and maneuvered his body-worn camera to avoid recording the interaction. The officers then started texting each other about how to handle the situation, with McLoughlin offering to "hold your camera." Caligiuri then took off his body-worn camera and gave it to McLoughlin, who allegedly staged it to make it appear as if Caligiuri was standing next to him. Garcia then drove off, and the officers did not attempt to stop him or notify dispatch.

  • The incident occurred on October 16, 2024, around 10:20 p.m.
  • Garcia pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired in December 2024 and resigned from the NYPD.
  • Caligiuri and McLoughlin were arraigned on the charges on February 20, 2026.

The players

Michael Caligiuri

A 31-year-old NYPD officer accused of covering up an off-duty cop's drunk driving crash.

Ryan McLoughlin

A 30-year-old NYPD officer accused of covering up an off-duty cop's drunk driving crash.

Eli Garcia

An off-duty NYPD officer who was involved in a drunk driving crash and allegedly protected by Caligiuri and McLoughlin.

Alvin Bragg

The Manhattan District Attorney who announced the charges against Caligiuri and McLoughlin.

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What they’re saying

“The defendants allegedly went to great lengths to protect a fellow officer from accountability. This type of conduct significantly harms the public trust in law enforcement. Everyone must be treated the same under the law, regardless of their position or background.”

— Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney (pix11.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Caligiuri and McLoughlin to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining public trust in law enforcement, as well as the need for robust accountability measures to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their position, are held to the same standards under the law.