Off-Duty NY DOC Officer Accused in Franklin County Death

New York – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has launched a full-blown probe into the tragic death of Jennifer Hathorn, who lost her life in a horror on State Route 11 in Chateaugay, Franklin County.

The incident unfolded as an off-duty officer from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) reportedly lost control of his vehicle, causing it to veer off the road. Hathorn, an innocent passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene on January 28, 2026.

The responding New York State Police (NYSP) quickly apprehended the officer and charged him with Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a class D felony) and two counts of misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). The accused was arraigned at Malone Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance, with a court date set for April 28, 2026.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI is obligated to review every reported incident involving an officer’s possible role in a death, whether the officer was on or off-duty. The law encompasses scenarios where the deceased may be armed or unarmed, and in or out of custody.

The preliminary investigation into this harrowing event is ongoing, with the OSI ensuring transparency as they unravel the circumstances that led to Hathorn’s untimely demise.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.

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