A state grand jury declined to file criminal charges against a state trooper in connection with a fatal crash last year, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
Anthony Fernandes was on patrol and traveling westbound on Route 70 at about 11:30 a.m. on April 9 when he observed a speeding vehicle traveling eastbound in the area of Burns Mill Road in Southampton. After the vehicle passed, Fernandes began to conduct a U-turn across Route 70 at about 11:39 a.m. so he could make a motor-vehicle stop, according to a press release.
As the trooper did that, a Kawasaki motorcycle traveling west hit the driver’s side of his marked police vehicle. Fernandes approached 65-year-old Frank Lando Jr., a Toms River resident, on the ground and remained on scene to provide medical aid.
Lando was transported to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 12:45 p.m. Fernandes did not sustain significant injuries.
Lando’s death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to a state grand jury. Evidence included body-worn camera video, a civilian witness, law-enforcement statements and autopsy results from the state medical examiner.
After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury finished deliberating on Aug. 11 and concluded no criminal charges should be filed against Fernandes.
