The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an inquiry into the death of Luis Morocho. The incident occurred on August 8, 2023, involving an off-duty member of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County.
On that evening, an off-duty NYSP Trooper was driving his personal vehicle north on State Route 9 in Wappingers Falls when he struck Mr. Morocho at the intersection with New Hackensack Road. Mr. Morocho was subsequently taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI reviews every reported incident where a police officer or peace officer might have caused a person's death through action or omission. This law applies whether the officer is on-duty or off-duty and regardless of whether the deceased individual was armed or unarmed, in custody, or incarcerated. If OSI's assessment suggests an officer may have been responsible for the death, it conducts a comprehensive investigation.
The facts currently available are preliminary and may change.