By: Richard L. Smith
The Attorney General’s Office has released the name of the cyclist who tragically lost his life in a collision with a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) vehicle in Hackettstown, New Jersey, on February 5. 
The victim, 59-year-old Mr. Raul L. Diaz from Long Valley, New Jersey, was involved in an early morning crash that led to his untimely death.
The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m., when Sergeant First Class Kesene Grier, operating an unmarked NJSP SUV, collided with Diaz on Willow Grove Street near Brook Hollow Drive.
Officials said Diaz was rushed to Hackettstown Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 7:17 a.m. The specific details leading up to the collision are currently under investigation.
This case is being investigated in accordance with Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which mandates that the Attorney General’s Office investigates all deaths occurring during an encounter with law enforcement officers in their official capacity or while the individual is in custody.
This directive ensures that investigations are conducted transparently and according to predefined procedures.
As the investigation is still active, officials have not released further details at this time. The community awaits more information as the inquiry into the circumstances of this tragic event continues.
