The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) has released video footage and radio communications related to a fatal vehicle crash that took place on September 28, 2025, in North Bergen. The incident resulted in the deaths of Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, and Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen.
The release of these recordings follows policies set by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 aimed at ensuring fair and transparent investigations into fatal police encounters. Representatives for the families of Mr. Aziz and Mr. Rivera were given a chance to review the materials before they were made public.
According to preliminary findings from OPIA, North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello was driving northbound on Tonnelle Avenue in a marked police vehicle when he made a U-turn near 70th Street and began traveling southbound. He activated his emergency lights and followed a Honda Accord driven by Mr. Aziz after an alleged traffic violation at the intersection of 69th Street and Tonnelle Avenue. Mr. Aziz then fled southbound at high speed, passing vehicles in both directions and twice entering oncoming traffic lanes.
The collision occurred around 11:18 p.m., when Mr. Aziz’s Accord struck a Toyota Corolla driven by Mr. Rivera between 50th and 51st streets on Tonnelle Avenue. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were later pronounced dead. One passenger from the Accord and three passengers from the Corolla were taken to hospital for treatment. Investigators determined that the Honda Accord was stolen.
An investigation is ongoing by OPIA, with no further information available at this time.
A state law enacted in 2019 requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with law enforcement or while an individual is in custody. All such cases must be presented to a grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence for an indictment against involved officers.
Further details about how fatal police encounters are investigated under New Jersey’s Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found online.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin serves as the state agency responsible for legal oversight and public safety throughout New Jersey, providing services such as legal support, law enforcement oversight, crime lab support, victim advocacy, consumer protection initiatives, statewide enforcement authority, prosecution of offenses, regulation of public safety matters under its statutory mandate, as well as representation across all counties and municipalities (official website).
