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

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Gerardo Santiago De Los Santos, who died on September 13, 2024 following a vehicle collision involving a member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn. 

In the early morning hours of September 13, Mr. Santiago De Los Santos was riding his bicycle traveling westbound on the eastbound side of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. An off-duty NYPD officer was driving eastbound on the Belt Parkway when he struck Mr. Santiago De Los Santos with his vehicle. Mr. Santiago De Los Santos was taken 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.