Trenton, New Jersey, USA – The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) released video and radio recordings on January 14, 2026, related to a fatal vehicle crash that occurred on September 28, 2025, in North Bergen, New Jersey.

The victims were identified as Joseph Aziz, 20, of Jersey City, and Bryan Rivera, 24, of North Bergen. Representatives of both families reviewed the recordings prior to public release.

Preliminary investigation details indicate that North Bergen Police Lieutenant Jason Appello, driving a marked vehicle with emergency lights activated, made a U-turn near 70th Street on Tonnelle Avenue and began following a Honda Accord driven by Mr. Aziz, which was allegedly involved in a traffic violation at 69th Street.

Mr. Aziz reportedly fled at high speed, passing several vehicles in the southbound lane and entering northbound lanes multiple times. At approximately 11:18 p.m., near 51st Street and Tonnelle Avenue, the Accord collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by Mr. Rivera, which was occupied by three passengers.

Both Mr. Aziz and Mr. Rivera were seriously injured and later pronounced deceased. One passenger in the Accord and all three passengers in the Corolla were hospitalized. Investigation later revealed that the Honda Accord was a stolen vehicle.

The incident is under ongoing investigation by OPIA. Under 2019 law N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), deaths involving law enforcement officers must be investigated and presented to a grand jury for potential indictments.

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