State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge NJSP Sergeant in Connection with February 5, 2024, Fatal Accident in Hackettstown, N.J.
TRENTON — A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Raul L. Diaz, 59, of Long Valley, New Jersey, a cyclist who died following a February 5, 2024 crash in Hackettstown, New Jersey, involving a member of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).
Mr. Diaz’s death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, with appropriate transparency regarding the process, consistent with the directive.
The investigation included review of surveillance and body-worn camera video, radio transmissions, a fatal motor vehicle crash report, photographs, and autopsy results from the state medical examiner. This evidence was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury finished deliberating on February 24, 2025 and voted “no bill,” concluding no criminal charges should be filed against Sergeant First Class Kesene Grier of the NJSP.
According to the investigation, on February 5, 2024, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Sergeant Grier was driving an unmarked NJSP SUV when she collided with a man riding an electric bike, later identified as Mr. Diaz.
The collision happened before sunrise at the intersection of Willow Grove Street and Brook Hollow Drive in Hackettstown. While travelling west on Brook Hollow Drive, Sergeant Grier stopped at a stop sign and turned left onto Willow Grove Street. Mr. Diaz, who was travelling northbound on Willow Grove Street, abruptly applied the brakes to his electric bike with heavy front brake application, causing the rear of the e-bike to become elevated, and he overturned. Mr. Diaz and his e-bike were impacted by the left side and undercarriage of the NJSP vehicle.
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