PATERSON, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey police officer has been convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal crash that occurred while he was off-duty.
Paterson officer Jose Urena was also found guilty Monday of endangering the accident victim. The verdict came after the Passaic County jury deliberated for three days.
He faces up to 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced Dec. 7.
Authorities say the 32-year-old Urena, who lives in North Haledon, struck 23-year-old Paterson resident Jaquill Fields in June 2015. Emergency responders found Fields seriously injured, and he later died at a hospital.
Urena was charged after an “intensive investigation” and was indicted in March 2016.
Urena has served on the Paterson force for nine years. His bail was revoked following his conviction and he was taken into custody.
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