Westchester Man Arraigned on Manslaughter Charge in Wrong-Way Crash

Yonkers resident Efren Moreano, 20, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him in connection with the February wrong-way Sprain Brook crash in Greenburgh that killed 46-year-old NYPD Det. Paul E. Duncan of Hartsdale.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced Moreano was charged with:

• one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• three counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies,
• three counts of Driving While Intoxicated, unclassified Misdemeanors under the Vehicle and Traffic Law and
• one count of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a Violation.

The crash occurred at about 3:45 a.m. on Feb. 27. Moreano “drove northbound, on to the southbound Jackson Avenue exit of the Sprain Brook Parkway in Greenburgh and entered the parkway going in the wrong direction.”

An accident investigation revealed that Moreano was “traveling at approximately 100 miles per hour at the time of the head on collision.” Additionally, toxicology results showed that Moreano had a blood alcohol level of .16 along with marijuana in his system at the time.

Duncan was on his way to work at a police precinct in Queens when he entered the Sprain Brook Parkway from the Route 100-B entrance heading south.

“[Det. Duncan] was two miles into his commute when the defendant struck his vehicle head on,” according to DiFiore. “[He] was killed instantly. The defendant sustained serious injuries to his right arm and leg and needed to be extricated from his vehicle. The defendant subsequently underwent surgery on these non-life threatening injuries.

“During the extrication, emergency responders detected a strong odor of alcohol on the defendant. Additionally, a New York State Trooper smelled marijuana coming from the defendant’s car and observed a small bag of marijuana on the passenger side of the car.”

Moreano was arrested and arraigned on a felony complaint at the hospital, and was later remanded to the Westchester County jail without bail, where he remains.

His next court date is November 2, and he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Timothy Ward, of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.

Photo of Det. Paul E. Duncan via WCBS-TV