Nassau PD Officer Cleared in Morgan Salomone Death

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its report exonerating a Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) officer in the tragic death of Morgan Salomone.

The investigation, which examined body-worn and security camera footage, interviews with officers, and comprehensive legal analysis, determined that a prosecutor could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer committed a crime. Consequently, no criminal charges are warranted.

Morgan Salomone was struck by NCPD officers on Wantagh Avenue in Wantagh, Nassau County, on November 22, 2024. The report noted that the officer driving the police car at approximately 6:26 a.m. was traveling within the posted speed limit and did not exhibit signs of distraction or impairment.

Under New York law, proving criminally negligent homicide requires proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a death was caused by failing to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk of death, with the failure being a gross deviation from reasonable care. OSI concluded there was no evidence of such deviation in this case.

The officer involved passed a Portable Breath Test two hours after the incident, and OSI recommended all patrol officers and supervisors be trained in PBT administration to ensure accurate results following collisions. The office also advises police agencies to request voluntary consent for toxicology testing when serious injury or death occurs in motor vehicle accidents.