A city police officer has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old man on Tuesday evening.
Jose Urena, 30, allegedly struck a pedestrian with his vehicle on North 4th and Temple Street at about 8:25 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.
Police responded to the scene to find city resident Jaquill Fields, 23, was struck. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
A joint investigation by the police traffic division accident reconstruction unit and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit identified and charged Urena with leaving the scene of an accident.
Urena, at the time of the incident, was off-duty. He has been with the city’s police for six years. He was hired on November 17th, 2008, according to city payroll data. His salary stood at $47,785.
Police director Jerry Speziale said Urena has been suspended without pay.