MELROSE, Bronx (WABC) — Happening today: closing arguments in the trial of NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who is accused of hurling a cooler at a drug suspect as he fled arrest in the Bronx, killing the man.
Duran was indicted on manslaughter charges in the Aug. 2023 death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey, a delivery worker suspected of drug dealing.
Duprey fled a narcotics sting, speeding off on a scooter.
Duran grabbed a white plastic cooler and “forcefully threw” it at Duprey, striking him in the head. Duprey lost control of his scooter and crashed into a tree.
Duran testified that he thought Duprey was trying to get away on a scooter after allegedly selling drugs to an undercover officer. He said he thought Duprey was going to crash into other police officers.
During opening statements prosecutors said Duran threw a loaded cooler at Dupree’s head “with such force it knocked him off the scooter causing him to crash into the pavement, split his head open and die almost instantaneously.”
The defense attorney claimed the only thing available was a cooler and that Duran didn’t know if it was full or empty.
Duran pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter assault and criminally negligent homicide and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars if convicted.
Following closing arguments, a judge could make a ruling immediately or wait for a later date.
———-
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.