Post by KC on Jun 7, 2006 20:38:29 GMT -5
June 07, 2006 - NEWARK, N.J. - An East Orange police officer was indicted on charges he failed to help a motorist who was seriously hurt when a car the officer was chasing hit the vehicle she was driving.
Officer Marcos Rodriguez, a five-year member of the force, was charged conspiracy and official misconduct for not assisting the woman and not reporting the accident, the Essex County prosecutor's office said Wednesday.
The accident happened after Rodriguez chased a Lincoln into Newark on Sept. 8, 2005, and it collided with a Nissan driven by a Newark woman.
Rodriguez, who had not reported the pursuit to his headquarters, left the scene, Assistant Prosecutor John F. Wojtal said. A state trooper who was in the area responded, and the woman later had her spleen and a kidney removed.
Rodriguez faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted. Efforts to reach his lawyer were not successful.
Officer Marcos Rodriguez, a five-year member of the force, was charged conspiracy and official misconduct for not assisting the woman and not reporting the accident, the Essex County prosecutor's office said Wednesday.
The accident happened after Rodriguez chased a Lincoln into Newark on Sept. 8, 2005, and it collided with a Nissan driven by a Newark woman.
Rodriguez, who had not reported the pursuit to his headquarters, left the scene, Assistant Prosecutor John F. Wojtal said. A state trooper who was in the area responded, and the woman later had her spleen and a kidney removed.
Rodriguez faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted. Efforts to reach his lawyer were not successful.