AG's Office Investigating Fatal Crash Involving Off-Duty MTA Officer

AMITYVILLE, NY — New York Attorney General Letitia James' Office of Special Investigation has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on March 15 following a motor vehicle crash involving an off-duty Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officer in Suffolk County, the AG said.

Shortly after midnight on March 15, an off-duty MTA police officer — the driver was identified as Richard Moffatt, 30, of Amityville by Suffolk County police in a release after the crash —was driving his personal vehicle, a 2021 Mazda, southbound on Route 110 and Francine Avenue in North Amityville when he struck and killed a man, the AG said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported 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, the AG's Office said. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed, the AG's Office added.

Moffatt was not injured, police said.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check.

Anyone with information may call the Suffolk County Police Department's First Squad at 631-854-8152.