February 3, 2026 BRONX, NY The line between a split-second police tactical decision and a criminal act of manslaughter is being drawn in a Bronx courtroom this week. As closing arguments wrap up, the city is forced to reckon with a case that sounds more like a freak accident than a standard arrest—yet carries a potential 25-year prison sentence.
The Incident: A Pursuit Cut Short
In August 2023, the Melrose section of the Bronx became a crime scene unlike any other. Eric Duprey, a 30-year-old delivery worker suspected of selling drugs during a narcotics sting, attempted to evade arrest on a motorized scooter.
Standing in his path was NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran. Rather than a standard tackle or a pursuit, Duran reached for the nearest object available: a heavy, plastic cooler.
The prosecution’s account is harrowing. They allege Duran hurled the "loaded" cooler with enough force to strike Duprey in the head, causing him to lose control, veer into a tree, and hit the pavement. The impact was fatal; Duprey died almost instantly from the trauma.
The Defense: Heroism or Homicide?
Sgt. Duran took the stand to defend his actions, painting a picture of a chaotic, high-stakes environment. His testimony centered on two key points:
-
Public Safety: Duran claimed he feared Duprey’s speeding scooter was a direct threat to other officers in the vicinity.
-
Improvisation: His defense attorney argued that the cooler was simply the only "tool" within reach, and that Duran had no way of knowing how much the container weighed or the lethality of the impact.
The Charges on the Table
Duran has pleaded not guilty to a suite of serious charges, including:
If the judge finds Duran’s actions went beyond "reasonable force," the veteran sergeant faces up to 25 years behind bars.
