Two men killed in North Bergen crash following police pursuit now identified
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – Two young men were killed in a violent crash on Tonnelle Avenue following a brief police pursuit late Saturday night, and authorities have now released the identities of the victims and the officer involved.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 11:18 p.m. on September 28 after North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello began following a Honda Accord driven by 20-year-old Joseph Aziz of Jersey City. Officials say the vehicle was allegedly involved in a traffic violation near the intersection of 70th Street and Tonnelle Avenue.
Roughly one minute later, the Accord collided with a Toyota Corolla that was not involved in the pursuit. The driver of the Corolla was identified as 24-year-old Bryan Rivera of North Bergen. Both Aziz and Rivera sustained serious injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead shortly afterward.
A passenger in the Honda Accord was hospitalized and has since been released. Three passengers inside the Toyota Corolla were also transported to a hospital, where they remain under medical care.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is leading the investigation, as required by a 2019 New Jersey law mandating independent investigations in cases where civilians die during encounters involving law enforcement officers. The law also requires the findings to be presented to a grand jury to determine whether criminal charges against any officer are warranted.
No further details have been released as the investigation continues.
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Key Points
- Joseph Aziz, 20, and Bryan Rivera, 24, were killed in a crash after a police vehicle began following the Accord involved
- The crash occurred on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen on Saturday night
- The incident is under review by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and will go before a grand jury
