TRENTON, NJ – A state grand jury has declined to bring criminal charges against a Franklin Borough police sergeant in connection with a crash that killed 19-year-old Deanna D’Arco of Vernon last year.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced Monday that jurors reviewed extensive evidence — including police dashcam video, 911 recordings, crash reports, surveillance footage, toxicology results and autopsy findings — before voting “no bill” on September 29. The decision means no charges will be filed against Sergeant William Grissom, the officer involved in the May 27, 2024 collision.
Investigators said Grissom was driving southbound on Route 23 at about 38 to 40 mph in a marked patrol car when a black Honda Prelude exited a ShopRite parking lot, crossed the double yellow line and entered the southbound lane. The police vehicle struck the Honda’s passenger side, where D’Arco was seated.
Grissom immediately radioed dispatch, helped remove the car door to reach D’Arco and remained at the scene until backup arrived. D’Arco was rushed to Newton Medical Center and later transferred to Morristown Medical Center, where she died two days after the crash. The Honda’s driver and Grissom sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash evidence, including dashcam and surveillance footage, has been made publicly available as part of OPIA’s transparency guidelines.
