Newark Police Sergeant Charged In Traffic Officer's Death: Prosecutor

Victor Ortiz, a Newark police sergeant, was arrested and charged on Thursday, Jan. 2 in connection with the death of Newark Traffic Control Officer Jairo Rodriguez last month, authorities said.

Jairo Rodriguez and Victor Ortiz
Photo Credit: *Newark PD/Essex County Department of Corrections*

Sam Barron

01/02/2025 1:38 p.m.

At 12:42 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, Rodriguez was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic following an event at the Prudential Center, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said.

Rodriguez was found by police unresponsive and was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead soon after, authorities said. Ortiz, a Hillside resident, was off-duty at the time of the crash, authorities said.

Ortiz was charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. He is being held at the Essex County Jail, pending a court appearance, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Rodriguez is survived by his wife and two daughters, authorities said.

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