By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal crash in Newark that claimed the life of a teenage girl Sunday night, while questions remain about the circumstances leading up to her his collision.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, August 9, on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark.
An initially unidentified female pedestrian was fatally injured.
RLS Media has since learned from sources that the victim was 17-year-old Zakiyah Jones, who had reportedly been listed as missing by her family before the fatal incident.
A social media post circulated by relatives before her death included photographs of Zakiyah and asked the public for help locating her. The post indicated that she had last been seen in Newark’s North Ward area.
The Attorney General’s Office has not publicly identified the victim, and RLS Media has not independently confirmed all of the circumstances surrounding her reported disappearance.
Witnesses told me that the crash occurred in the area of Bloomfield Avenue near Mount Prospect Avenue as police were reportedly ‘following’ a vehicle that witnesses believed was attempting to evade officers.
At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether a pursuit was underway, whether the vehicle was stolen, or what role the police activity played in the circumstances that resulted in the teenager’s death.
Those details remain under an active and ongoing investigation.
Sources familiar with the investigation told me that the law enforcement officer whose actions are under review is a Newark Police sergeant.
I am withholding the sergeant’s name at this time because authorities have not announced any findings of wrongdoing.
The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Under New Jersey law, the Attorney General’s Office investigates deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity or while an individual is in custody.
Such investigations are ultimately presented to a grand jury to determine whether the evidence supports criminal charges against any officer involved.
The Attorney General’s Office said no additional information was immediately available.
RLS Media will continue working to independently verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and will provide additional information as it becomes available.