NEW YORK, NY — Former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer Tyler Paul, 25, of Queens, has pleaded guilty to charges of criminally negligent homicide and assault in connection with the death of Kawan Edwards, a contractor for the Department of Transportation (DOT), on April 26, 2023. The fatal incident occurred on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens when Paul, off-duty and speeding in his personal car, struck Edwards as he stood on the shoulder of the road.
Paul appeared before Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis in Queens on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, assault in the second degree, and assault in the third degree. The charges stemmed from a collision in which Paul lost control of his vehicle, resulting in Edwards’ tragic death.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Paul will face a prison sentence of up to seven and a half years, with the sentences for his various charges running concurrently. He will be sentenced on January 23, 2025. The breakdown of his sentences includes:
- Criminally Negligent Homicide: One to three years in prison
- Assault in the Second Degree: Three and a half years in prison, with three years of post-release supervision
- Assault in the Third Degree: 364 days in prison
Paul, who was a police officer at the time of the incident, will remain out on bail until his sentencing date. He has waived his right to appeal the sentence.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of April 26, 2023, when Paul was driving his personal vehicle at a high rate of speed on the Grand Central Parkway. According to the facts presented during the court proceedings, Paul made a lane change without signaling and was driving between lanes when he struck another vehicle in the right lane. The impact caused him to lose control of his car, which then veered onto the shoulder and struck Edwards, who was working as a contractor for the DOT at the time.
Edwards, who was standing on the side of the road while placing construction signs, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Following the incident, an investigation was launched under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, which mandates that the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) assess every case where a police officer, whether on or off-duty, may have caused a death. The OSI’s assessment led to a full investigation into Paul’s role in Edwards’ death, culminating in the charges filed against him.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James agreed to the resolution of the case, stating, “While no plea can bring back the life of Kawan Edwards, this conviction brings accountability and ensures that the defendant will face justice for his actions. Police officers must be held to the same standards as any other member of society, and today’s plea sends a clear message that such reckless behavior will not go unpunished.”
Kawan Edwards, 33, was a DOT contractor at the time of his death. His tragic passing left his family, colleagues, and the community devastated. Edwards was a dedicated worker who had been employed with the Department of Transportation for several years, where he helped with roadside signage and traffic control during construction projects.
In a statement issued after the plea hearing, Edwards’ family expressed their sorrow, saying, “Kawan was a hard-working man who loved his job and his family. No amount of justice will bring him back, but we hope his death serves as a reminder that reckless driving has real consequences.”
Paul’s conviction brings attention to the dangers of reckless driving, particularly when a person in a position of trust, such as a police officer, engages in such conduct. The case also underscores the role of the NYPD in maintaining accountability when one of their own violates the law, even when off-duty.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph McManus of the Queens District Attorney’s Office, who prosecuted the case, stated, “Tyler Paul’s reckless and negligent driving caused the death of an innocent man who was simply doing his job. This plea serves as an important reminder that the law applies to everyone equally, regardless of their profession.”
Paul’s sentencing on January 23, 2025, concludes this tragic case. The NYPD has yet to release a statement regarding Paul’s status within the department following the plea.
