Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced that an off-duty police officer was indicted today in the fatal collision with a motorcycle causing the death of an Elizabeth man on October 31, 2017.
Officials said Elizabeth Police Officer Romulo Meneses-Alvarez, 30, was indicted for one count of vehicle homicide in the second degree, one count of vehicular homicide within 1,000 feet of school property in the first degree,
one count of strict liability – vehicular homicide in the third degree, two counts of hindering his own apprehension or prosecution in the third degree, one count of tampering with physical evidence in the fourth degree, and one count of obstructing administration of law in the fourth degree.
Three other motor vehicle summons were previously issued for Alvarez for driving while intoxicated, careless driving, and failing to yield the right of way.
The indictment was handed up following a presentation to a Union County grand jury by Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams.
The investigation determined that on October 31, 2017, while off-duty Alvarez was driving his personal car, a 2007 Jeep Wrangler, heading south on Elmora Avenue in the City of Elizabeth. Alvarez collided with the victim’s 2005 GSX Suzuki motorcycle at the intersection of Elmora Avenue and Vine Street in Elizabeth.
The victim, Jairo Lozano, 29, of Elizabeth, was struck and then taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-8842.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Alvarez are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.