Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced today that an Elizabeth Police Officer has pleaded guilty in the fatal crash which caused the death of a 29-year old man from Elizabeth on October 31, 2017.
According to authorities, Romulo Meneses-Alvarez, 30, of Elizabeth admitted to strict liability vehicular homicide in the third degree, tampering with physical evidence in the fourth degree, and driving while intoxicated in the death of Jairo Lozano, 29, of Elizabeth.
Under a plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams, Alvarez will be sentenced to 364 days in county jail as a condition of the probation he will serve upon his release.
In addition, he will forfeit his current public employment with the Elizabeth Police Department. Alvarez will also lose his driver’s license for driving while intoxicated.
Officials said he is scheduled to be sentenced in Union County by Superior Court Judge Deitch on July 13, 2018.
An investigation by Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that on October 31, 2017, while off-duty Alvarez was driving his personal car, a 2007 Jeep Wrangler, and collided with the victim’s 2005 GSX Suzuki motorcycle at the intersection of Elmora Avenue and Vine Street in Elizabeth.
According to authorities, the victim, Jairo Lozano, was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.