By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV that took place during a police pursuit in Hope Township, Warren County, on August 13.
The motorcyclist, an adult male, sustained fatal injuries in the collision. His identity has not yet been released.
The incident began when a New Jersey state trooper initiated a pursuit of an SUV traveling eastbound on Route 80 near milepost 11 at approximately 10:19 a.m.
The driver of the SUV exited the interstate at Exit 12 and proceeded southbound on County Road 521 in Hope Township.
As the SUV attempted to pass another vehicle on the left near Dogwood Road, it collided with a motorcycle that was also heading southbound on County Road 521.
The force of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown from his bike. Emergency responders administered medical aid, but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
The SUV, still being pursued by the trooper, veered off the road and came to a stop in a wooded area.
The driver of the SUV was taken to Hackettstown Medical Center for evaluation before being released into police custody.
He is currently being held at the Warren County Jail as the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office investigates his involvement in the incident.
The Attorney General’s Office is conducting the investigation in accordance with a 2019 law (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2)), which mandates that the office investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with law enforcement or while the deceased is in custody.