A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against Monroe Township Police Lieutenant Anthony Pease in connection with the death of Michael Ospina, 22, following a motor vehicle crash that occurred on February 19, 2024, in Winslow Township, Camden County.
The incident was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury as required by the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures to ensure grand jury presentations are neutral and transparent in line with this directive.
Evidence reviewed in the investigation included dispatch and radio transmissions, video from body-worn cameras and surveillance systems, interviews with civilians and law enforcement personnel, photographs, crash reports, and autopsy findings. After reviewing this material and hearing testimony, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on October 6, 2025. It voted "no bill," meaning no criminal charges will be filed against Lieutenant Pease.
According to investigative findings, around 3:58 a.m. on February 19, Mr. Ospina left his home and drove on Broadlane Road in Monroe Township. Lieutenant Pease followed Mr. Ospina’s car due to an earlier report of eluding police in another municipality. The pursuit continued until they reached Broadlane Road's intersection with Winslow Road.
At that point, Lieutenant Pease passed a civilian vehicle, activated his emergency lights, and attempted to stop Mr. Ospina’s vehicle as it turned onto Winslow Road at high speed. He continued pursuing with emergency lights activated but eventually lost sight of Mr. Ospina’s car and reported over the radio that he believed it had entered the Atlantic City Expressway.
Shortly after 4:00 a.m., Lieutenant Pease found Mr. Ospina’s crashed vehicle near milepost 0.8 on East Fleming Pike in Winslow Township and contacted dispatchers. The crash investigation determined that Mr. Ospina was driving about 134 mph before losing control and striking two utility poles. Firefighters removed him from the vehicle; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Under a law enacted in 2019 (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2)), the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement officers or while individuals are in custody. All such cases must be presented to a grand jury to decide if evidence supports indicting involved officers. Grand juries receive instructions regarding potential criminal offenses—including homicide—and legal justifications like self-defense.
A conflicts check was conducted according to the Independent Prosecutor Directive; no conflicts were found among investigators assigned to this case. Before presentation to the grand jury, OPIA Executive Director Eric Gibson reviewed the investigation per established policies.
After such investigations conclude, OPIA decides whether any party should be referred for administrative review under Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. The office monitors these reviews for timely completion and appropriate action based on outcomes.
The Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found on the Attorney General’s website at this link:
https://www.njoag.gov/independent-prosecutor-directive/
