Union County Man Arrested In Hit-And-Run That Killed NYC Cop: Police

Elizabeth, NJ -- A Linden man was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident of an off-duty New York City Police Officer on the New Jersey Turnpike over the weekend, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes jointly announced Monday.

William Espinal-Mejia, 35, is charged with a single count of second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He turned himself in to authorities Monday evening, when bail was set at $100,000, according to Park.

The victim was identified as Vincent Harrison, 25, of Valley Stream, N.Y., a New York City Police Department officer who was not on duty at the time of his death.

The accident occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 in the southbound outer lanes of the Turnpike near mile marker 102.5 in Elizabeth.

Harrison was reportedly involved in an accident with another car and gotten out of his car to talk with the other driver.

“Information provided to law enforcement has led investigators to believe that Harrison had his weapon drawn immediately prior to being struck by a third vehicle being operated by Espinal-Mejia, who stopped briefly but then left the scene before troopers arrived,” according to Park.

Harrison was found dead at the scene, when state troopers arrived.

The accidents is still under investigation.