BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — The death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey, who died after an NYPD sergeant threw a cooler at his head while he was driving a motorbike, causing him to crash, has been ruled a homicide by the city’s medical examiner.
His family and friends held a rally calling for justice on Saturday on Aqueduct Avenue, where the incident happened.
“It’s heartbreaking as we stand here at a memorial for him with his two children who will never see their father again, his grieving wife, and his mother, as he has a whole community who’s come and put up candles,” said Chivona Newsome, of Black Lives Matter Greater New York.
Surveillance video shows Duprey in his final moments, driving the motorbike when the cooler hits his head. According to police, Sergeant Erik Duran was suspended without pay just hours after Duprey’s death.
Police said Duprey was attempting to flee from officers during a drug bust, although his family has remained adamant that he was doing nothing wrong.
The NYPD said there will be a full and thorough investigation. The New York Attorney General’s Office is also investigating.
