NYPD officer charged with manslaughter in death of highway worker

An NYPD officer was indicted on manslaughter and other charges on Friday for allegedly killing a highway construction worker while recklessly driving in Queens last April, the New York attorney general’s office said. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Officer Tyler Paul, 24, was speeding in his personal vehicle on Grand Central Parkway on April 26 of last year when he changed lanes without signaling and collided with another car — causing him to skid into 36-year-old Kawan Edwards, who was working on a road project on the parkway’s shoulder, according to Attorney General Letitia James. Edwards was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Paul has been suspended without pay, an NYPD spokesperson said. Public records show he was hired by the department in 2021 and works as a quartermaster in the 32nd Precinct.

He was arrested and arraigned on Friday, and is additionally charged with assault, criminally negligent homicide and criminal mischief. He pleaded not guilty and posted bail, which the judge set at $200,000 bond or partially secured bond with a $100,000 cash alternative.

Paul’s lawyer, John Tynan, declined to comment when reached by phone. Messages to Edwards’ family were not immediately returned.

The state attorney general’s office is required to review cases where police officers — whether on or off duty — are suspected of killing someone. Paul is due back in court on May 1, James’ office said.