Prosecutor: Off-duty officer strikes, kills man with car, drove around with body

A Newark police officer faces multiple charges for allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian and then driving the man's body around in his car.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced charges Wednesday against Officer Louis Santiago, his mother and a friend. Investigators say Santiago struck 29-year-old Damian Dymka, who was walking on the shoulder of the Garden State Parkway near Exit 151 around 3 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Santiago then allegedly left the scene with passenger Albert Guzman, returned and put Dymka in the car. The pair then allegedly went to Santiago's mother's house to discuss what to do before returning to the accident scene with Dymka's body.
The prosecutor says that Santiago’s father, who is a lieutenant in the Newark Police Department, called 911 and reported that his son was in an accident. When state troopers arrived at the scene, they allegedly found the victim dead in the back seat of Santiago’s car.
A court hearing is pending.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.