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 Steve Zalewski, who was found dead on October 9, 2023 following a motor vehicle incident involving a member of the Town of Dewitt Police Department (TDPD).

On the evening of October 9, an on-duty TDPD officer was driving his police car on Bridge Street near Interstate 690 in the village of East Syracuse when he struck Mr. Zalewski, who was lying in the roadway. Mr. Zalewski 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 may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.