The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating the death of Joseph E. Acevedo-Rodriguez, a 26-year-old resident of Elizabeth in Union County, who died in a scooter crash on July 6, 2025, following an attempted police stop in Perth Amboy.
The incident began around 12:05 a.m. near the intersection of State Street and High Street in Perth Amboy, where three individuals were operating motorized scooters. Lieutenant Jose M. Pais of the Perth Amboy Police Department attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, activating his marked patrol car’s overhead lights and siren. Two of the scooter riders immediately fled the scene, while Acevedo-Rodriguez initially pulled over to the shoulder of State Street. Moments later, he accelerated at high speed, heading northbound.
Lt. Pais pursued the fleeing scooter into Woodbridge Township but discontinued the chase upon crossing the municipal border. He deactivated his lights and siren, made a U-turn, and returned to Perth Amboy. Shortly after, at approximately a quarter mile north on State Street, between Arbor Street and Ferry Street, Woodbridge police received a 911 call reporting a crash. Responding officers found Acevedo-Rodriguez unresponsive in the roadway, with his scooter located some distance away. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is leading the investigation, as mandated by a 2019 law (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2)), which requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate any death occurring during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity or while a person is in custody. The investigation will be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the evidence supports an indictment against any involved officers.
The reason for the initial traffic stop has not been disclosed, and the investigation remains ongoing. No additional details have been released at this time.
