Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in Onondaga County

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Chatuma M. Crawford, who died on December 17, 2021.

During the evening of December 17, Mr. Crawford was walking on Northern Boulevard in the Town of Cicero, when he was struck by a personal vehicle driven by an off-duty member of the Town of Cicero Police Department. The officer called 911 and remained at the scene of the incident. Mr. Crawford was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.