By: Richard L. Smith
According to a statement released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, officials have identified the two men killed in a fatal motor vehicle collision involving a North Bergen police officer late Sunday night.
The victims have been identified as Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, and Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen.
Investigators said the incident began shortly before 11:18 p.m. on September 28, 2025, when North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello, driving a marked police vehicle, began following a Honda Accord operated by Aziz after an alleged traffic violation near 70th Street and Tonnelle Avenue.
Roughly a minute later, the Accord struck a Toyota Corolla driven by Rivera on Tonnelle Avenue between 50th and 51st streets.
Both drivers sustained severe injuries and were later pronounced
deceased.
Authorities confirmed that four additional people were injured in the crash.
One passenger from the Accord has since been released from the hospital, while three passengers in the Corolla remain hospitalized. Their conditions have not been disclosed.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is leading the investigation into the events that led up to the collision. 
Officials noted that the probe remains active and ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time.