Attorney General Releases Footage from Fatal North Bergen Crash Involving Stolen Vehicle

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General on Monday released video footage and police radio recordings related to a September 28, 2025, crash in North Bergen that resulted in two fatalities. The deceased individuals were identified as Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, and Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen.

The incident remains under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). According to the Attorney General’s Office, the release of the recordings follows a 2019 policy aimed at ensuring transparency in the investigation of fatal police encounters. Representatives of both families were given the opportunity to review the materials prior to public release.

A preliminary investigation found that North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello was driving a marked vehicle northbound on Tonnelle Avenue when he made a U-turn near 70th Street and began heading southbound. He activated his emergency lights and followed a Honda Accord driven by Mr. Aziz after the vehicle was allegedly involved in a traffic violation at 69th Street.

Mr. Aziz then fled at a high rate of speed, driving southbound and twice entering the northbound lane of Tonnelle Avenue. At approximately 11:18 p.m., near 51st Street, the Accord collided head-on with a northbound Toyota Corolla driven by Mr. Rivera and carrying three passengers.

Both drivers were seriously injured and later pronounced deceased. One passenger in the Accord and three passengers in the Corolla were transported to a hospital for treatment. Investigators later determined that the Accord had been reported stolen.