decision

State Grand Jury Decision on Fatal Accident Involving NJ Trooper

**TRENTON, NJ** — A state grand jury has voted against filing criminal charges in the case of Raul L. Diaz, a 59-year-old cyclist from Long Valley, New Jersey. The incident involved a collision with a New Jersey State Police officer on February 5 just after 6:00 a.m. in Hackettstown.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) conducted an investigation, presenting findings to a grand jury in line with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. Evidence reviewed included surveillance and body-worn camera footage, radio transmissions, a crash report, photographs, and autopsy results. On February 24, the grand jury decided not to indict NJSP Sergeant First Class Kesene Grier.

According to the investigation, Sergeant Grier was driving an unmarked state police SUV and collided with Diaz on an electric bike at the intersection of Willow Grove Street and Brook Hollow Drive. The collision occurred when Diaz applied the brakes abruptly, causing him to overturn and be struck by Grier’s vehicle.

Following the crash, Sergeant Grier alerted dispatch and provided assistance to Diaz until emergency services arrived. Diaz was pronounced dead at Hackett