ELIZABETH, NJ — In a recent decision, a state grand jury determined not to file criminal charges against Elizabeth Police Officer Michael White, involved in a high-speed incident that resulted in the deaths of two people. The decision followed an extensive investigation into a tragic collision on December 10, 2023, that claimed the lives of local residents Juan Carlos Alvear, 54, and Ysabel Gonzalez, 63.
Officials noted the crash occurred early in the morning at around 5:42 a.m. when authorities were responding to reports of gunfire. Officer White was pursuing a suspect’s vehicle which led to a catastrophic moment at the intersection of Grand Street and Routes 1&9, where the suspect ran a red light and collided with a taxi.
Both the taxi driver, Alvear, and passenger, Gonzalez, succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident. The suspect, 21-year-old Jamie Fernandez from Elizabeth, along with two other occupants, attempted to evade police resulting in the crash. While Fernandez and one passenger, Joel Pieretti, faced legal repercussions, a third occupant fled the scene.
The intensive investigation involved witness testimonies, surveillance footage, and medical examinations, culminating in the grand jury’s deliberation on January 27, where they ultimately voted against indicting Officer White.
Further complicating the tragedy, authorities revealed that Fernandez was driving the vehicle involved and is now serving an eight-year sentence following a guilty plea to two counts of death by auto and unlawful weapon possession. Additionally, Pieretti received a sentence for joyriding.
In response to public concern over police-involved incidents, such investigations are carried out under the strict guidelines of the 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive, ensuring transparency and integrity. This includes a rigorous review process and the presentation of evidence to a grand jury tasked with making impartial legal determinations based on the facts presented.
As these proceedings conclude, the community of Elizabeth is left to reconcile the grand jury’s verdict with the grief enduring from a preventable tragedy that has deeply impacted two families. Meanwhile, surveillance footage and police communications from the day of the incident have been made available to the public, aligning with policies aimed at providing clear insights into law enforcement actions during critical incidents.
The 2019 statute under which these proceedings were conducted mandates thorough investigations and grand jury reviews of deaths involving police officers, fortifying the principles of justice and accountability.
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