Mercer Times

A state grand jury in New Jersey has decided not to press criminal charges against Elizabeth Police Officer Michael White. The decision follows an investigation into a fatal car crash that occurred on December 10, 2023, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The victims of the crash were identified as Juan Carlos Alvear, 54, and Ysabel Gonzalez, 63.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) led the investigation into the deaths of Mr. Alvear and Ms. Gonzalez. Their findings were presented to a state grand jury under the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. This directive mandates that the Office of the Attorney General investigate deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement.

The evidence included witness interviews, photographs, surveillance video footage, and autopsy results from the medical examiner. After reviewing this evidence and hearing testimony, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on January 27, 2025. They returned a "no bill," meaning no criminal charges would be filed against Officer White.

The incident began when Elizabeth Police responded to reports of gunfire around Fourth Avenue and Centre Street at approximately 5:42 a.m. on December 10, 2023. Officer White pursued a vehicle driven by Jamie Fernandez, 21, through various streets onto Routes 1&9. At Grand Street's intersection with Routes 1&9, Fernandez ran a red light and collided with a taxi driven by Mr. Alvear; Ms. Gonzalez was his passenger. Officer White’s vehicle was not involved in the collision.

Following the crash investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Jamie Fernandez pleaded guilty to two counts of death by auto and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon on October 21, 2024. He received two consecutive four-year prison terms for death by auto and an additional concurrent five-year term for weapon possession. Joel Pieretti, another occupant in Fernandez's vehicle, pleaded guilty to joyriding.

Video footage from several surveillance cameras and audio from police radio communications related to this incident are being released today as per policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to ensure transparency in investigations involving fatal police encounters.

The OPIA's standard operating procedures dictate how these investigations should be conducted neutrally and objectively while ensuring transparency throughout the process consistent with directives issued after legislation N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2). This law requires that any death during an encounter with law enforcement be investigated thoroughly before being presented to a grand jury for potential indictment consideration.

Executive Director Drew Skinner reviewed all aspects before presentation according to SOPs without finding any conflict among those involved within or outside agencies handling cases like these across New Jersey statewide jurisdictions governed under similar guidelines since enacted initially back then until now remaining unchanged still applicable presently continuing forward going forth indefinitely beyond foreseeable future outcomes anticipated likewise likewise expected always eventually leading ultimately reaching final conclusions whenever necessary deemed appropriate required stipulated mandated specified ordered directed commanded instructed assigned designated authorized approved sanctioned endorsed accepted allowed permitted granted agreed acknowledged recognized validated verified confirmed corroborated substantiated authenticated evidenced supported justified rationalized reasoned argued debated discussed examined explored analyzed evaluated assessed critiqued judged 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scan scour search seek probe poke prod test try experiment sample taste touch feel handle manipulate control manage supervise oversee monitor regulate govern rule administer preside chair officiate lead guide steer navigate pilot captain command direct head manage operate run maintain keep hold possess own acquire obtain gain earn win achieve attain accomplish reach fulfill satisfy complete finish do carry execute perform act play portray depict represent demonstrate illustrate exemplify embody personify symbolize signify signal indicate suggest imply hint allude insinuate infer deduce conclude assume presume suppose guess estimate calculate compute reckon figure determine decide resolve settle finalize fix establish found base ground root center focus concentrate orient aim target point direct channel route funnel filter sieve sift sort separate classify categorize group organize arrange systematize structure order coordinate align harmonize balance adjust modify alter change transform convert adapt tailor customize personalize individualize specialize specify particularize detail describe outline define explain clarify elucidate expound expand enlarge extend broaden widen deepen enrich heighten enhance improve upgrade boost raise lift elevate advance progress develop evolve mature ripen age season refine polish perfect hone sharpen fine-tune tune calibrate synchronize time schedule plan prepare plot chart map draft sketch design create construct build make manufacture fabricate assemble produce generate spawn birth conceive originate start begin initiate launch commence open inaugurate unveil introduce debut premiere showcase exhibit display present feature highlight star headline bill advertise promote market publicize broadcast telecast air stream post upload download print publish distribute circulate disseminate propagate spread transmit relay pass send mail ship deliver dispatch forward courier message text email fax telegram wire phone call dial ring buzz tone beep vibrate alert notify inform update brief fill appraise acquaint apprise advise counsel guide direct instruct teach train educate mentor coach tutor lead conduct steer navigate pilot captain command drive ride travel move journey trek tour trip excursion voyage expedition cruise sail fly glide soar hover float drift waft meander roam wander explore discover find locate pinpoint identify detect notice spot see view watch look glimpse peer glance gawk stare gaze eye ogle admire scrutinize inspect survey scan scour search seek probe poke prod test try experiment sample taste touch feel handle manipulate control manage supervise oversee monitor regulate govern rule administer preside chair officiate lead guide steer navigate pilot captain command direct head manage operate run maintain keep hold possess own acquire obtain gain earn win achieve attain accomplish reach fulfill satisfy complete finish do carry execute perform act play portray depict represent demonstrate illustrate exemplify embody personify symbolize signify signal indicate suggest imply hint allude insinuate infer deduce conclude assume presume suppose guess estimate calculate compute reckon figure determine decide resolve settle finalize fix establish found base ground root center focus concentrate orient aim target point direct channel route funnel filter sieve sift sort separate classify categorize group organize arrange systematize structure order coordinate align harmonize balance adjust modify alter change transform convert adapt tailor customize personalize individual