Former NYPD officer sentenced for throwing cooler that caused fatal crash

Erik Duran gets 3 to 9 years in prison for incident that killed Eric Duprey

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered scooter mirror reflecting a single red flashing light, conveying the gritty, investigative mood of the incident through dramatic lighting and stark composition.The aftermath of a violent crash exposes the harsh realities of policing and the tragic consequences of split-second decisions.NYC Today

A former New York City police sergeant was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison for throwing a picnic cooler at a fleeing suspect, Eric Duprey, which caused Duprey to crash his motorized scooter and die. Duran was convicted of manslaughter for the 2023 incident, becoming the first former NYPD officer sentenced to prison for an on-duty death in at least two decades.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate around police use of force and accountability, with Duran's union arguing the sentence will make officers hesitant to act in split-second situations. Duprey's family, however, says Duran's actions were unjustified and that he should be held responsible.

The details

Duran, 38, was part of a narcotics unit conducting a 'buy-and-bust' operation when Duprey, 30, fled on a motorized scooter. Surveillance video showed Duran, who was not in uniform, picking up a bystander's cooler and throwing it at the approaching scooter. The cooler struck Duprey, causing him to lose control and crash into a tree. Duprey was not wearing a helmet and sustained fatal head injuries.

  • On August 23, 2023, the incident occurred.
  • On February 2026, Duran was convicted of manslaughter.
  • On April 9, 2026, Duran was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison.

The players

Erik Duran

A former New York City police sergeant who was convicted of manslaughter for throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, causing the suspect's death.

Eric Duprey

A 30-year-old man who died after crashing his motorized scooter when Duran threw a cooler at him.

Gretchen Soto

The mother of Eric Duprey, who said there are 'no words to express what I feel' about her son's death.

Pearl Velez

The partner of Eric Duprey, who said she did not accept Duran's apology.

Vincent Vallelong

The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the union representing Duran, who said the sentence 'puts in the back of a police officer's mind that they can lose their freedom' for split-second decisions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I took this job to save lives. I felt terrible once I saw Eric Duprey crash. I never wanted this to happen.”

— Erik Duran, Former NYPD sergeant

“There are no words to express what I feel.”

— Gretchen Soto, Mother of Eric Duprey

“How you gonna say sorry now?”

— Pearl Velez, Partner of Eric Duprey

“Today will forever be the darkest day of our profession. This puts in the back of a police officer's mind that they can lose their freedom for making a split-second decision.”

— Vincent Vallelong, President, Sergeants Benevolent Association

What’s next

Duran's lawyer plans to appeal the sentence and request bail while the appeal is pending.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve, as well as the challenges officers face in making split-second decisions that can have tragic consequences. It also raises questions about accountability and the appropriate use of force by police.