By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability has released dashboard-camera video, surveillance footage, and a 911 recording connected to a deadly crash that occurred in Woodbridge Township on July 6, 2025, according to a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office.
Click HERE for 911 Recordings
The materials relate to the death of 26-year-old Joseph E. Acevedo-Rodriguez of Elizabeth, who was involved in the crash following an attempted motor-vehicle stop by Perth Amboy Police Lt. Jose M. Pais. Investigators also met with members of Acevedo-Rodriguez’s family prior to the public release of the recordings.
According to the preliminary investigation, the incident began shortly after midnight near State Street and High Street in Perth Amboy, where three individuals were riding motorized scooters. Lt. Pais, driving a marked patrol vehicle, attempted to stop the group and activated his emergency lights and siren.
Two riders left the area, while Acevedo-Rodriguez initially pulled to the shoulder before accelerating and speeding away northbound.
Officials said Lt. Pais followed the moped into Woodbridge, then turned around and returned to Perth Amboy after deactivating his lights and siren.
A short time later — about a quarter-mile up State Street, between Arbor Street and Ferry Street — Woodbridge police responded to a 911 report of a crash and found Acevedo-Rodriguez in the roadway, with the moped located a distance away.
Authorities said he appeared to have been involved in a single-vehicle accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the release of the recordings follows statewide transparency policies established in 2019 for investigations involving fatal encounters with law enforcement.
The investigation remains active, and no additional details have been released.