Attorney General releases video, radio transmissions in fatal Woodbridge police encounter
State investigation continues into February crash that killed a juvenile passenger and seriously injured multiple people.
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The New Jersey Attorney General's Office on Friday released police radio transmissions and video footage from its ongoing investigation into a fatal crash that occurred during an encounter with a Woodbridge police officer earlier this year.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability released surveillance video and footage from a police vehicle's mobile video recorder related to the Feb. 20 crash in Woodbridge.
According to the Attorney General's Office, 18-year-old Mikael Salman, of Iselin, was driving a Nissan Maxima at a high rate of speed on Route 1 shortly before midnight on Feb. 19 when Woodbridge Police Officer Khari Manzini, who was in a marked patrol vehicle, attempted to catch up to the vehicle.
Authorities said the Nissan traveled from Route 1 South to Avenel Road, onto Remsen Avenue, then Route 35 before re-entering Route 1 South.
RELATED: Police ID teen driver involved in fatal chase, crash in Woodbridge
About one minute after returning to Route 1 South, the Nissan collided with a second civilian vehicle at the intersection of Route 1 South and Gill Lane, according to investigators.
Police determined Salman and a juvenile passenger were trapped in the vehicle, and the local fire department helped remove them. Salman was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with serious injuries.
The juvenile passenger was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. on Feb. 20. Authorities have not released the juvenile's identity. Investigators also found a dead dog inside the Nissan.
The occupants of the second vehicle also suffered serious injuries and were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
The Attorney General's Office said the police vehicle was not directly involved in the crash, and that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Salman’s conduct.
