UNLICENSED DRIVER CHARGED IN CRASH THAT KILLED AN OFF DUTY JERSEY CITY POLICE OFFICER
" Rafael Rodriguez-Rivera Of Jersey City Charged With Third Degree Causing Death While Driving Unlicensed In The Death Of Morton Otundo."
January 10, 2022 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
JERSEY CITY, NJ.- On Monday, January 10, 2022 Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced the Driver involved in a crash that Killed Off-Duty Jersey City Police Officer Morton Otundo on July, 16, 2021 has been Charged with One Count of Third Degree Causing Death While Driving Unlicensed.
Rafael Rodriguez-Rivera, 30, of Jersey City, New Jersey surrendered himself to Detectives with The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit in Jersey City at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, January 10, 2022. Mr. Rodriguez-Rivera was released on a Summons and is scheduled to appear in court on February 8, 2022.
On Friday, July 16, 2021, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Members of The Jersey City Police Department responded to the intersection of Communipaw Avenue and Woodward Street on a report of a motor vehicle collision with injuries.
Upon arrival, Police Officers found a motorcyclist with serious injuries. The operator of the motorcycle, later identified as Morton Otundo, 40, of Jersey City, New Jersey was treated at the scene before being transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:30 a.m., on July 16, 2021.
The initial investigation determined that Mr. Otundo was operating a Yamaha motorcycle and was traveling East on Communipaw Avenue when he collided with a 2012 Ford Escape, operated by Mr. Rodriguez-Rivera, as the vehicle was traveling West and attempting to make a left turn onto Woodward Street. The investigation found that Rodriguez-Rivera did not have a valid New Jersey driver’s license.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER JANUARY 10, 2022: LAW, HUDSON: