Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the identity of the 16-year-old boy struck and killed by a Union City garbage truck.
According to authorities, on October 4th at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Union City Police Department received a report of a person on a bicycle hit by a truck near the corner of Palisades Avenue and 31st Street in Union City.
Upon arrival, the responding Police Officers found a male victim pinned under a garbage truck.
The victim - later identified as Sean Lemus, 16, of Union City - was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7:45 p.m.
During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the truck involved in the collision was a Union City Department of Public Works garbage truck. At this time, no charges have been filed against the driver, who remained on the scene after the collision.
As officers investigated the scene of the fatal collision, two motorcyclists traveling at a high rate of speed approached and then proceeded to drive through the fatal collision scene. One of the motorcyclist - later identified as Aryan Acosta-Reinoso, 24, of Paterson - eluded officers but was arrested this morning at his home.
Authorities charged Acosta-Reinoso with Eluding, Aggravated Assault and Receiving Stolen Property (motorcycle). He made his First Appearance in CJR Court in Jersey City this afternoon and he is being held in the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending a Detention Hearing which is scheduled for Tuesday.
The second motorcycle was driven by Ricardo Suazo, 25, of Paterson. As he drove his motorcycle through the fatal collision scene, Suazo crashed his motorcycle into the garbage truck, striking four Union City Police Officers.
According to authorities, Suazo was taken by Emergency Medical Services to Christ Hospital where he was treated and released into the custody of Hudson County Sheriff’s Officers.
Three of the officers were taken to local hospitals where they were treated for their injuries while the fourth officer was treated at the scene.
Police have charged Suazo with three counts of Assault by Auto and one count of Assault by Auto. Suazo is scheduled to appear in CJR Court on October 6th.
“My heart goes out to the family of Sean Lemus who died in this tragic accident,” said Union City Mayor Brian Stack. “I’d also like to ask everyone to keep the injured officers in their thoughts and prayers as these officers recover from their injuries.”
"All of the involved Officers did an outstanding job responding to this fatal accident, providing medical assistance to the injured Union City officers and arresting the motorcyclist who crashed into them,” said Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari. “Our hearts go out to the Lemus family and we pray for the speedy recovery of the Officers."
The investigation remains active at this time.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).