Fatal Bloomfield Avenue crash falls under state law governing deaths involving police encounters
NEWARK, NJ – A woman was fatally struck during a Sunday night crash on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, prompting the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to open an investigation under a state law covering deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity.
The fatal collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
An adult female pedestrian suffered fatal injuries.
Her identity has not been released.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, known as OPIA, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials announced the investigation Tuesday but released few details concerning what happened before the crash.
The Attorney General’s Office did not identify the law enforcement agency or officer involved in the encounter.
Officials also did not disclose what type of vehicle struck the pedestrian, where on Bloomfield Avenue the collision occurred or what circumstances brought law enforcement and the woman into contact.
New Jersey law requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate a person’s death when it occurs during an encounter with an on-duty law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity or while the person is in custody.
Under the 2019 law, evidence gathered during such an investigation must be presented to a grand jury.
The grand jury determines whether the evidence supports returning an indictment against any officer involved.
The existence of the investigation does not establish criminal wrongdoing.
Both OPIA and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office continue to investigate the Newark collision.
The Attorney General’s Office said no additional information was available Tuesday.
Key Points
- An adult female pedestrian was fatally injured in a collision on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday.
- The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating.
- State law requires Attorney General investigations into deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity or while a person is in custody.
