No charges for nj state trooper in fatal crash with motorcyclist in southampton — New Jersey State Trooper. File Photo © NJSP.

TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against a New Jersey State Trooper involved in a fatal collision that killed a motorcyclist during a patrol stop attempt in Southampton last April.

The Office of the Attorney General announced Monday that the grand jury returned a “no bill” after reviewing evidence in the death of 65-year-old Frank Lando, Jr. of Toms River, who died after his motorcycle collided with a marked police vehicle operated by Trooper Anthony Fernandes.

The crash occurred on the morning of April 9, 2024. According to the investigation, Trooper Fernandes was traveling westbound on Route 70 near Burns Mill Road when he observed a speeding vehicle going eastbound. As he attempted to perform a U-turn to pursue the vehicle, Lando, traveling west on a Kawasaki motorcycle, struck the driver’s side of the patrol car.

Lando was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained critical injuries. Trooper Fernandes immediately contacted dispatch and rendered medical aid at the scene until emergency responders arrived. Lando was taken to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m.

The investigation, led by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), included body camera footage, witness interviews, crash reconstruction analysis, photographs, and the medical examiner’s report. The findings were presented to a grand jury made up of New Jersey residents.

After hearing all the evidence, the grand jury voted not to indict Trooper Fernandes. No criminal charges will be filed.

Under a 2019 law, any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement must be investigated and presented to a grand jury. The case was reviewed under the Independent Prosecutor Directive, and no conflicts of interest were found.

An administrative review may follow as required under internal policy.

——
Key Points

A grand jury declined to charge NJ State Trooper Anthony Fernandes in a fatal April 2024 motorcycle crash
Motorcyclist Frank Lando died after colliding with the trooper’s vehicle during a U-turn maneuver on Route 70
The case was investigated and presented under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.