The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released video footage and radio communications from a fatal vehicle crash that occurred on September 28, 2025, in North Bergen. The incident resulted in the deaths of Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, and Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen.
The OPIA is currently investigating the collision. The release of these recordings follows policies set by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to support transparent investigations into fatal police encounters. Family members of Mr. Aziz and Mr. Rivera were given a chance to review the materials before they were made public.
Preliminary findings indicate that North Bergen Police Lieutenant 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. He activated his emergency lights and started following a Honda Accord driven by Mr. Aziz after an alleged traffic violation at 69th Street and Tonnelle Avenue. Mr. Aziz fled at high speed, passing several vehicles and twice entering the northbound lanes against traffic.
At approximately 11:18 p.m., as Mr. Aziz continued southbound in the oncoming lane near 51st Street, his Accord collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by Mr. Rivera between 50th and 51st streets on Tonnelle Avenue. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were later pronounced dead. One passenger from the Accord and three passengers from the Corolla were taken to a hospital for treatment. Investigators determined that the Honda Accord had been reported stolen.
The OPIA continues its investigation into this event, with no further information available at this time.
Under New Jersey law N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury to determine if charges are warranted against involved officers.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is responsible for legal oversight and public safety throughout New Jersey, including conducting such investigations statewide according to its statutory mandate (https://www.njoag.gov/). The agency also provides legal representation, consumer protection initiatives, crime lab support, victim advocacy services, and regulates law enforcement across all counties (https://www.njoag.gov/).
Further details about how fatal police encounters are investigated under state guidelines can be found through resources provided by the Attorney General’s Office.
