Former NYPD officer sentenced 3 to 9 years in prison in cooler death case A former New York City police sergeant was sentenced to three to nine years in prison on Thursday for throwing a picnic cooler at a fleeing suspect, whose subsequent crash resulted in his death. Erik Duran, a former NYPD sergeant, was convicted of manslaughter in the 2023 death of Eric Duprey, a 30-year-old man who died after losing control of his motorized scooter following the incident. The sentencing took place at the Bronx County Hall of Justice, where Duran, now a convicted criminal, addressed the court and Duprey’s family, expressing remorse for the tragedy. Duran’s actions occurred during a narcotics policing operation in the Bronx on August 23, 2023. According to prosecutors, Duprey sold drugs to an undercover officer and attempted to flee on a scooter. Duran, who was part of the narcotics unit, allegedly hurled a cooler filled with ice, water, and sodas at Duprey, who was riding the scooter at high speed. The impact caused Duprey to lose control, crash into a tree, and sustain fatal head injuries. The incident occurred without Duprey wearing a helmet, and he died almost instantly. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Guy Mitchell rejected Duran’s defense that his actions were justified. The judge stated that the court believed Duran was upset that Duprey was escaping and reacted impulsively by throwing the cooler. Prosecutors argued that Duran had ample time to warn others to move out of the path of the scooter but instead chose to act recklessly. Joseph Bianco, a prosecutor from the state Attorney General’s office, emphasized that Duran’s actions were not only dangerous but also attempted to cover up his misconduct.#nypd #erik_duran #eric_duprey #bronx_county_hall_of_justice #sergeants_benevolent_association
