NEW JERSEY — A man was arrested and charged in connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer on the New Jersey Turnpike, officials said.
William Espinal-Mejia, 35, of Linden, was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident after turning himself in Monday evening, according to the Union County Prosecutor's office.
Officials said he hit Vincent Harrison, a 25-year-old off-duty police officer who worked at the 100th Precinct in Rockaway Beach, at around 3 a.m. Sunday morning on the Turnpike near Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Harrison was involved in a crash with another car, pulled over and got into an argument with that car's driver, prosecutors said.
Investigators believe he had his weapon drawn right before he was struck by Espinal-Mejia, who stopped briefly but then fled.
Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wake will be held March 7 at St. Luke's Baptist Church, 133-21 232nd St. in Laurelton, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m, according to the 100th Precinct. His funeral will follow the wake at the same location.
Harrison will be buried at Pinelawn Cemetery on Long Island on March 8.
