By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has identified the civilian and the officer involved in a fatal incident that occurred after a foot pursuit on November 12, 2024, in Guttenberg, Hudson County.
The individual who died has been identified as 26-year-old Brandon Lee Ortega of Mexia, Texas.
According to a preliminary investigation, the Guttenberg Police Department responded to a disturbance reported via a 911 call at approximately 11:02 p.m. near 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue.
Callers described an armed individual, later identified as Ortega, among those involved in the disturbance.
Guttenberg Police Officer Brandon Sauerwald located Ortega near 7000 John F. Kennedy Blvd. East, leading to a foot pursuit. During the chase, Ortega climbed over a railing adjacent to a building and fell over an embankment, resulting in his death.
Emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Authorities recovered a firearm on Ortega's person.
The incident remains under investigation, and no additional details are being released at this time.