By: Richard L. Smith
A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against a Monroe Township police lieutenant in connection with the death of 22-year-old Michael Ospina, who was killed in a February 19, 2024, crash in Winslow Township, Camden County.
According to a statement released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the case was reviewed by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to the grand jury under procedures outlined in the state’s Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019.
The review included body-worn camera footage, dispatch recordings, surveillance video, interviews, crash data reports, photographs, and autopsy findings.
After hearing the evidence, jurors returned a “no bill” decision on October 6, 2025, meaning no charges will be filed against Lieutenant Anthony Pease of the Monroe Township Police Department.
Investigators said the incident began when Ospina drove from his home around 3:58 a.m. and was followed by Lt. Pease, who was investigating a prior report of eluding in a nearby town.
At an intersection, Pease activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle as Ospina accelerated onto Winslow Road.
Pease continued following until losing sight of Ospina’s car and mistakenly radioed that it had entered the Atlantic City Expressway.
Moments later, Pease came upon the crash scene on East Fleming Pike, where Ospina’s vehicle had struck two utility poles.
Crash investigators determined that Ospina had been driving about 134 miles per hour before losing control.
Fire crews removed him from the wrecked vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.