The crash happened at about 11:18 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2025, in North Bergen, when Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, was fleeing from an officer in a Honda Accord and slammed into a Toyota driven by Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
North Bergen Police Lt. Jason Appello was driving northbound on Tonnelle Avenue in a marked police vehicle when he made a U-turn near 70th Street and began traveling southbound. Officials said Appello activated his emergency lights and followed a Honda Accord driven by Aziz after the vehicle was allegedly involved in a traffic violation near 69th Street and Tonnelle Avenue.
Aziz fled southbound on Tonnelle Avenue at a high rate of speed, investigators said. During the pursuit, officials said Aziz crossed into oncoming northbound lanes multiple times while passing other vehicles. In the final moments, near the area of 51st Street and Tonnelle Avenue, Aziz continued driving in the oncoming lane, authorities said…