6 days ago
Police chase through Perth Amboy, Woodbridge leaves scooter driver dead
The death of a 26-year-old Union County man riding a scooter is under investigation after a Perth Amboy police lieutenant attempted a vehicle stop before the scooter crossed into neighboring Woodbridge and crashed.
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office identified Joseph E. Acevedo-Rodriguez, of Elizabeth, as the victim of the July 6 crash.
Three people were riding scooters around 12:05 a.m. in the area of State and High streets in Perth Amboy when Lt. Jose M. Pais attempted a vehicle stop in a marked car, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Pais activated his overhead lights and siren, and two of the three scooters fled the scene while the third rider, Acevedo-Rodriguez, initially pulled over to the shoulder of State Street before accelerating and speeding off northbound, the Attorney General's Office said.
Pais continued following the vehicles until they crossed the border into Woodbridge where he turned off his lights and sirens, made a U-turn and returned to Perth Amboy, the Attorney General's Office said.
A short time later Woodbridge police received a 911 call about a crash about a quarter mile north on State Street, between Arbor and Ferry streets, according to the Attorney General's Office. Arriving Woodbridge officers found Acevedo-Rodriguez in the road with the scooter a distance away and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Attorney General's Office said.
The investigation is continuing, and no further information is being released currently.
As part of a 2019 law, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office is required to conduct investigations of deaths that occur during an encounter with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity or while in police custody.
Email: srussell@
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on NJ police chase in Perth Amboy, Woodbridge leaves scooter driver dead
