State Attorney General investigating death of teen killed in hit-and-run during NYPD police pursuit

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office confirmed it is conducting a preliminary review of the death of 15-year-old Anthony Benitez Cabrera, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash while being pursued by the NYPD.

The Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation is assessing the factors leading up to the death, which can take months.

The office has the power to investigate "when there is a question whether an officer has caused a death," according a report it issued last year. In cases where it’s not clear whether an officer has caused a death, the office begins a "preliminary assessment."

Anthony's death has sparked an outpouring of support from the New Hyde Park community and beyond, who on Monday night held a prayer vigil at the crash site in New Hyde Park.

A student at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Anthony was reportedly fleeing the NYPD on his e-bike after 105th Precinct officers responding to a 911 call believed he was connected to a knifepoint robbery on Hillside Avenue in Floral Park at 9 p.m. Saturday, Newsday previously reported. Friends on Monday and Tuesday disputed the police narrative, noting Anthony was a football and lacrosse player at the school.

In a short statement on Tuesday, the NYPD did not confirm that police pursued Anthony.

"The individual fled on an electric bicycle into the confines of Nassau County where they were involved in a collision with a Lexus GX 460 vehicle at the intersection of Lakeville Road and Bryant Avenue," an NYPD spokeswoman said.

The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is also looking into the collision.

In February, the NYPD amended its vehicle pursuit policy, limiting it to "only the most serious and violent crimes," according to a release. The release continues, "Pursuits will not be allowed for traffic infractions, violations, or nonviolent misdemeanors."

Anthony was killed after Ruyan Ali, 28, allegedly crashed into him and fled while driving a 2015 Lexus SUV, according to the felony complaint. Ali allegedly was unlicensed and heading south on Lakeville Road when he crossed into the northbound lane to pass another car, hitting the teen, who was traveling across the road, according to the criminal complaint.

After the crash, Ali, of North New Hyde Park, allegedly failed to stop, authorities said. Anthony was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Ali pleaded not guilty to charges of leaving the scene of a deadly incident with death, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, failure to return a license, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and registration, and multiple other traffic violations.

Due to the dangers of high-speed police pursuits, the attorney general released a report in June concluding that police should conduct high-speed chases only in two circumstances, including “ where officers have cause to believe a serious or violent felony has been or will be committed," and "where a driver’s conduct threatens immediate, severe bodily harm or death to themselves, bystanders, or officers."

According to an NYPD release, about 25% of the 2,278 vehicle pursuits conducted last year resulted in "some combination of a collision, property damage, or physical harm."