Attorney General Releases Police Video in Fatal Woodbridge Crash That Killed Juvenile Passenger

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has released police radio transmissions, surveillance footage, and police vehicle video from the ongoing investigation into a fatal crash involving a Woodbridge police officer and an 18-year-old driver that left a juvenile passenger dead earlier this year.

The videos, released Friday by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), are part of the state's investigation into the February 20, 2026, incident in Woodbridge.

According to investigators, shortly before midnight on February 19, a Nissan Maxima driven by 18-year-old Mikael Salman of Iselin was allegedly speeding southbound on Route 1 when Woodbridge Police Officer Khari Manzini, who was in a marked patrol vehicle, attempted to catch up.

Authorities said the Nissan continued through several roadways, including Avenel Road, Remsen Avenue, and Route 35, before returning to Route 1 South.

About one minute after re-entering Route 1, the Nissan crashed into another civilian vehicle at the intersection of Route 1 South and Gill Lane.

When officers reached the scene, investigators said both Salman and his juvenile passenger were trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters assisted in removing them from the wreckage.

The juvenile passenger was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. on February 20. Officials have not publicly identified the victim because they were a juvenile.

Salman suffered serious injuries and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Investigators also said a dog found inside the Nissan died in the crash.

The occupants of the second vehicle also suffered serious injuries and were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

Authorities emphasized that the Woodbridge police vehicle was not directly involved in the collision.

The Attorney General's Office said OPIA is investigating Officer Manzini's actions during the incident, while the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is separately investigating Salman's conduct.

The release of the recordings is part of New Jersey's policy requiring greater transparency in investigations involving fatal encounters with law enforcement. Family members of the deceased juvenile were allowed to review the footage before it was made public.

Under New Jersey law, the Attorney General's Office is required to investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity. The findings will ultimately be presented to a grand jury, which will determine whether the evidence supports criminal charges against any officer involved.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say no additional information is being released at this time.