NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A Newark police sergeant was charged Thursday in connection to an off-duty crash that killed a traffic control officer as he directed vehicles outside the Prudential Center last month, authorities said.
Newark Police Sergeant Victor Ortiz was charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter and one count of vehicular homicide.
Just after midnight on Dec. 11, police responded to Lafayette Street in Newark after receiving a call of a traffic control officer struck while directing vehicles following a concert.
Responding officers found Jairo Rodriguez, 53, unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The sergeant remained at the scene and was transported to St. Michael’s Hospital in stable condition.
Sergeant Ortiz surrendered to the Essex County Prosecutor’s office Thursday morning and is being held at the Essex County Jail, pending a court appearance.