Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Wilfredo A. Soto, 21, of Nutley has been charged in connection with a police pursuit that resulted in injuries to four Belleville police officers and a civilian.
According to police, at approximately 9:55 p.m. a Belleville Police officer attempted to stop an ATV, allegedly driven by Soto, who was traveling on Washington Avenue.
Soto allegedly refused to stop. The first unit pursued him and called for backup. In the vicinity of Greylock Parkway and Washington Avenue the ATV collided with a car driven by a civilian.
Two police cars that were responding to assist collided with each other. Four officers in the police cars were taken to University Hospital and the civilian was taken to another area hospital.
Police say all five had non-life threatening injuries and were treated and released.
Soto was arrested and charged with five counts of aggravated assault, second degree eluding, contempt and various motor vehicle offenses.
Consistent with Attorney General guidelines, the matter is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office because it involves a police pursuit.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
These are accusations.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.