The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has begun an investigation into the death of a civilian following a traffic incident in Queens on September 27, 2025. The incident involved an off-duty officer from the New York City Police Department.
According to initial reports, the off-duty officer was driving on Francis Lewis Boulevard at around 7:58 p.m. when he turned left onto Linden Boulevard. During this maneuver, his vehicle collided with a motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle died at the scene, while a passenger on the motorcycle was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI is required to review every case reported where a police or peace officer may have caused a person’s death through action or omission. This applies whether the officer is on duty or off duty and regardless of whether the deceased individual was armed or in custody.
A spokesperson for OSI stated: “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.”
Officials noted that these are preliminary facts and subject to change as the investigation continues.
