Attorney General James Announces Indictment and Arraignment of Former NYPD Officer on Manslaughter Charge

 

Officer Kevin Richmond was Off-Duty When He Struck and Killed Nidia Nieves

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment and arraignment of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Kevin Richmond, 44, of Elmsford, Westchester County, on the charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and two counts of misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). The indictment alleges that on July 27, 2023, Officer Richmond drove his personal vehicle while intoxicated and/or with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.08% and caused the death of Nidia Nieves. Officer Richmond was off-duty at the time. 

Richmond was arraigned today by Judge Craig Brown at Orange County Court. Judge Brown continued bail at a $40,000 bond, with a $20,000 cash alternative. Officer Richmond is due back in court on May 1, 2026. The maximum sentence on the top count is two and one third to seven years in prison. 

Shortly after midnight on July 27, 2023, Officer Richmond allegedly collided with a motorcycle driven by Nidia Nieves, who was traveling northbound on I-87 in Cornwall, Orange County. Officer Richmond was allegedly intoxicated at the time. Ms. Nieves was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered traumatic injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officer Richmond was initially arrested and arraigned on June 17, 2025 on the charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and two counts of misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated before Judge Paul Trachte at Newburgh City Court. Officer Richmond posted the $20,000 cash bail. 

Pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it 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. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.