Grand Jury: No Charges for Cop in Fatal NJ Moped Crash After Man Fled Stop

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — A New Jersey grand jury has cleared a Perth Amboy police officer in a deadly crash that left a 26-year-old man dead after he fled a traffic stop last summer.

The ruling centers on Joseph E. Acevedo-Rodriguez, of Elizabeth, who was killed July 6, 2025. On April 27, 2026, jurors voted “no bill,” meaning no criminal charges will be filed against Lt. Jose M. Pais.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the incident began just after midnight when three riders on motorized scooters were spotted near State and High streets. Police attempted a stop — but things escalated fast.

Authorities say Acevedo-Rodriguez initially pulled over, then suddenly took off at a high rate of speed.

The officer followed briefly into Woodbridge before backing off, shutting down lights and sirens, and turning around.

Minutes later, chaos.

Multiple 911 calls reported a crash on State Street. Officers arrived to find Acevedo-Rodriguez thrown into the roadway, his moped destroyed nearby.

Investigators say he lost control on a curve, slammed into a curb and fence, and was ejected. He died at the scene.

The case was reviewed under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive, meaning the state — not local prosecutors — handled the investigation. Jurors reviewed witness statements, police radio, surveillance footage, and autopsy findings before making their call.

Bottom line:
No charges. Investigators say the fatal crash came down to speed and loss of control — not the officer’s actions.