16 Year-Old Fatally Struck In UC; 4 Officers Hit During Crash Invest

16 Year-Old Fatally Struck In UC; 4 Officers Hit During Crash Invest


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor

WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org

DATE: Thursday, October 5, 2017

16-YEAR-OLD BOY FATALLY STRUCK IN UNION CITY;
4 OFFICERS HIT DURING CRASH INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the following information:

On Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Union City Police Department received a report of a person on a bicycle hit by a truck near the corner of Palisades Avenue and 31st Street in Union City. Upon arrival, the responding Police Officers found a male victim pinned under a garbage truck.

The victim has been identified as Sean Lemus, age 16, of Union City. Lemus was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7:45 p.m.

During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the truck involved in the collision was a Union City Department of Public Works garbage truck. At this time, no charges have been filed against the driver, who remained on the scene after the collision.

As officers investigated the scene of the fatal collision, two motorcyclists traveling at a high rate of speed approached and then proceeded to drive through the fatal collision scene. One of the motorcycles was driven by Aryan Acosta-Reinoso, age 24, of Paterson. Acosta-Reinoso eluded Police Officers at the scene but was arrested this morning at his home on 5th Street in Paterson by a team of Officers involved in the investigation.

Acosta-Reinoso has been charged with Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b, a second-degree crime; Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a second-degree crime; and Receiving Stolen Property (motorcycle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a third-degree crime. He made his First Appearance in CJR Court in Jersey City this afternoon and he is being held in the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending a Detention Hearing which is scheduled for Tuesday.

The second motorcycle was driven by Ricardo Suazo, age 25, of Paterson. As he drove his motorcycle through the fatal collision scene, Suazo crashed his motorcycle into the garbage truck while also striking four Union City Police Officers. Suazo was taken by Emergency Medical Services to Christ Hospital where he was treated and released into the custody of Hudson County Sheriff’s Officers. Three of the Officers were taken to local hospitals where they were treated for their injuries. The fourth Officer was treated at the scene.

Suazo has been charged with three counts of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(1), a fourth-degree crime and one count of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(1), a disorderly persons offense. Suazo is scheduled to appear in CJR Court on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.

“My heart goes out to the family of Sean Lemus who died in this tragic accident,” said Union City Mayor Brian Stack. “I’d also like to ask everyone to keep the injured officers in their thoughts and prayers as these officers recover from their injuries.”

“All of the involved Officers did an outstanding job responding to this fatal accident, providing medical assistance to the injured Union City officers and arresting the motorcyclist who crashed into them,” said Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari. “Our hearts go out to the Lemus family and we pray for the speedy recovery of the Officers.”

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said, “I would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies in Hudson County for their professional collaboration in dealing with this tragedy.” Prosecutor Suarez specifically credited the Union City Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor for leading the investigation. Suarez also noted that the following agencies assisted in the investigation: Secaucus Police Department, North Bergen Police Department, Weehawken Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and West New York Police Department.

The investigation remains active at this time.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).