The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released mobile video, surveillance footage, and a 911 call related to a fatal crash that took place on July 6, 2025, in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. The incident resulted in the death of Joseph E. Acevedo-Rodriquez, 26, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The crash occurred after an attempted vehicle stop by Perth Amboy Police Lieutenant Jose M. Pais.
The OPIA is currently investigating this law enforcement encounter. According to policies set by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to ensure fair and transparent investigations into fatal police encounters, the recordings have been made public. Investigators previously met with Mr. Acevedo-Rodriquez’s family to review the materials.
Preliminary findings indicate that at around 12:05 a.m., three people were riding motorized scooters near State Street and High Street in Perth Amboy when Lieutenant Pais tried to stop them using his marked police vehicle’s lights and siren. Two riders left the area while Mr. Acevedo-Rodriguez initially pulled over but then sped away northbound at high speed.
Lieutenant Pais followed until they crossed into Woodbridge, at which point he turned off his lights and siren and returned to Perth Amboy. Shortly after, Woodbridge police responded to a report of a crash about a quarter mile north on State Street between Arbor Street and Ferry Street. Officers found Mr. Acevedo-Rodriguez lying in the road; he was pronounced dead at the scene following what appeared to be a single-vehicle accident involving his moped.
The investigation remains ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time.
A law passed in 2019 requires that any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement or while in custody must be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and presented to a grand jury for possible indictment decisions regarding involved officers.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin oversees legal and public safety responsibilities across New Jersey through various divisions for enforcement and oversight (official website). The agency provides legal support, consumer protection services, crime lab assistance, victim advocacy programs, and statewide law enforcement regulation (official website). It holds authority throughout all counties and municipalities within New Jersey (official website).
Further details about how fatal police encounters are investigated under state directives can be found online.
