TRENTON, N.J. — A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against an Elizabeth police officer in connection with a December 10, 2023, crash that killed two people, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced Friday.
The crash, which claimed the lives of Juan Carlos Alvear, 54, and Ysabel Gonzalez, 63, both of Elizabeth, occurred when a vehicle driven by Jamie Fernandez, 21, ran a red light and collided with a taxi at the intersection of Grand Street and Routes 1&9. Authorities said Officer Michael White had been following Fernandez’s vehicle in response to reports of gunfire but was not involved in the collision.
After reviewing witness testimony, surveillance footage, and autopsy reports, the grand jury voted on January 27 not to file charges against White. The decision follows an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability under state protocols for police-involved fatalities.
Fernandez pleaded guilty to two counts of death by auto and unlawful possession of a weapon and was sentenced to eight years in prison, while his passenger, Joel Pieretti, 19, pleaded guilty to joyriding and received a time-served sentence.
