FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Monday, June 19, 2017
HUDSON COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S INVESTIGATION JOINED BY
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND FBI
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the following information:
The investigation into the events surrounding the vehicle pursuit involving the Jersey City Police Department which ended in a fiery crash on Sunday, June 4, 2017, is ongoing.
Investigators from the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Internal Affairs Unit are working jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of New Jersey and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and each agency will contribute to the investigation by providing a different area of expertise. The investigation is being conducted in compliance with Attorney General Directive 2006-5 as updated on July 28, 2015.
“We welcome the participation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI in our investigation,” said Prosecutor Esther Suarez. “This cooperative multi-agency effort will provide that which justice demands — a fair, expeditious, thorough and impartial determination of all facts. I continue to ask the public for patience as we review this matter in its entirety.”
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, shortly after 11:00 p.m., Jersey City Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Ocean and Cator avenues in Jersey City. The vehicle fled the area and was pursued by officers.
The fleeing driver, Leo C. Pinkston, age 48, of Jersey City, was involved in at least two separate automobile crashes. The first crash occurred as he attempted to drive between two lanes of traffic while traveling on Tonnelle Avenue.
Multiple shots were fired at the suspect by Jersey City Police Officers.
Several blocks later, Pinkston crashed into a utility pole causing a fire and injuring a male victim who was also driving on Tonnelle Avenue. The victim, Miguel Feliz-Rodriguez, age 28, of West New York, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to The Burn Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Pinkston has been charged with one count of Eluding in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-2(b), a second-degree crime; and one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S. 2C:12-1(b)(6), a second-degree crime. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility. His next court appearance is a detention hearing which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2017.
Anyone with additional information or video about this case is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/ . All information will be kept confidential.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).