Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Rockland County

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Chevy Thomas, who died on February 26, 2023 in Rockland County.

In the early morning hours of February 26, an off-duty New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer was driving northbound with Mr. Thomas in the passenger seat on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, when their car went off the road and struck a tree. Mr. Thomas was declared dead at the scene. The officer driving the car was taken to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition.

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.