Man Jumps From Overpass After Police Chase On Rt. 21, Rt. 3

NUTLEY, NJ — A man jumped from a highway overpass in an attempt to escape police during a car chase that crossed Rt. 21 and Rt. 3 last week, Nutley police said.

According to the Nutley Police Department, the chase began at 1:47 p.m. on Oct. 24.

An officer was in the middle of a motor vehicle stop on Park Avenue when another driver approached, saying they’d just been struck from behind. As the officer tried to investigate, a red pickup truck with two occupants fled the scene, authorities said.

Other Nutley police in the area took up the chase, making an attempt to catch up to the truck on the northbound portion of Rt. 21. The vehicle stopped on Rt. 3, and the driver – later identified as Jose Cruz, 23, of New York City – tried to escape by jumping from a nearby overpass. He fell about 30 feet, injuring his leg, authorities said.

When officers caught up to Cruz, he resisted arrest. Emergency responders eventually transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, police said.

The passenger, Kevin Suncar, 25, of New York City, also tried to flee the scene. Clifton police apprehended him shortly afterwards, authorities said.

Police later discovered that the pickup truck was reported stolen out of a contractor’s yard in New York state.

Authorities charged Cruz with resisting arrest, eluding and aggravated assault on an officer.

Authorities charged Suncar with obstruction and receiving stolen property.

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