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

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on May 18, 2024 following a motor vehicle collision involving the New York City Police Department (NYPD). 

On May 18 at approximately 4:30 a.m., an NYPD highway patrol officer was driving southbound on the Van Wyck expressway in a marked patrol car with the lights and sirens activated. A pedestrian ran across the expressway and was struck by the patrol car. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  

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.