Attorney General Identifies Second Victim and Officer Involved in North Bergen Crash

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has identified the second person killed in the September 28 crash on Tonnelle Avenue as Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City. The incident, which remains under investigation, also involved North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello, who was following Aziz’s vehicle shortly before the fatal collision.

According to the preliminary investigation, Lt. Appello was driving a marked police vehicle when he began following a Honda Accord driven by Aziz after an alleged traffic violation near 70th Street and Tonnelle Avenue. Approximately one minute later, at 11:18 p.m., the Accord collided with a Toyota Corolla near 50th and 51st streets. The Corolla was not involved in the initial police activity.

Both Aziz and the driver of the Corolla, Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen, were seriously injured and later pronounced dead. One passenger in the Accord and three passengers in the Corolla were taken to a hospital. The passenger in the Accord has since been released, while the three passengers in the Corolla remain hospitalized.

Under New Jersey law, the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with law enforcement. The case will be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer involved.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is leading the investigation. No additional information has been released.