Former NYPD Sergeant Sentenced for Fatal Cooler Incident
BRONX, NY — Erik Duran, 38, a former NYPD sergeant, was sentenced on April 9, 2026, to three to nine years in prison for his role in the death of Eric Duprey, 30, after throwing a picnic cooler at him during a police pursuit.
Duran was convicted of manslaughter following the August 23, 2023, incident in which Duprey crashed his motorized scooter after being struck by the cooler, ultimately resulting in fatal head injuries. The ex-sergeant claimed he acted to protect other officers, but Judge Guy Mitchell determined his actions were reckless, stating that the cooler throw was motivated by frustration.
According to prosecutors, Duprey was fleeing from a drug-related arrest when Duran threw the cooler. Surveillance footage showed Duprey losing control and crashing into a tree. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and died at the scene.
Authorities reported Duran was taken into custody immediately after sentencing. His defense attorney sought no prison time, framing Duprey’s death as an unintended consequence of Duran’s actions, made in mere seconds. However, Duran’s sentence aligns with what prosecutors had requested.
Duprey’s family expressed their grief in court, with his mother, Gretchen Soto, stating the incident was unjust. Protesters outside the courthouse called for accountability, while Duran’s union voiced concerns over the implications of his conviction for police officers.
Duran, who served on the NYPD for 13 years, was subsequently fired after the conviction. An appeal for his bail while he challenges the ruling is pending.