Authorities have issued a citation today against the 30-year-old Elizabeth officer accused of driving drunk when he struck and killed a motorcyclist Halloween night.
According to police, on Oct. 31st, officers responded to the intersection of Elmora Avenue and Vine Street at approximately 11:20 p.m. for a report of a crash.
A preliminary investigation revealed that 29-year-old Jairo Lozano - operating a black, 2004 GSX Suzuki - was heading north on Elmora Avenue when he collided with the front, left part of 30-year-old Romulo Meneses-Alvarez’s 2007 Jeep Wrangler at the intersection, throwing Lozano off his bike and into the roadway.
Although authorities have released very little details, Lozano's family claims a witness saw the aftermath of the crash including when Meneses-Alvarez - who initially stayed at the scene - left after a responding officer told Meneses-Alvarez to go according to reports.
Emergency responders ultimately transported Lozano to Trinitas Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
According to Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Andrea Boulton, the off-duty officer was issued a citation today for driving while intoxicated in connection with the crash that killed Lozano.
The investigation into the crash remains under investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office after due to a potential conflict of interest, the case was transferred last month from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.