Ex-Linden officer Pedro Abad won’t testify in fatal wrong-way crash trial
<p>A former Linden police officer accused of causing a drunken wrong-way crash that killed a fellow officer and another man has decided not to testify at his trial. The defense for Pedro Abad rested Monday without calling a single witness.</p>
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May 2, 2017, 2:45 AM
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Updated 2,689 days ago
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A former Linden police officer accused of causing a drunken wrong-way crash that killed a fellow officer and another man has decided not to testify at his trial.
The defense for Pedro Abad rested Monday without calling a single witness.
The judge has scheduled closing arguments for Wednesday.
Prosecutors say that Abad drove the wrong way at 73 mph while drunk in March 2015. Two of his passengers, Joseph Rodriguez and Officer Frank Viggiano, died, and another Linden officer was critically injured.
Prosecutors say Abad's blood-alcohol level was 0.24, three times the legal limit.
The defense says authorities did not properly obtain a blood sample and cannot prove intoxication.
Abad faces charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.
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