State Troopers Won't Be Charged For South Jersey Man's Death In Custody

BRIDGETON, NJ — A grand jury voted against charging any state troopers following a South Jersey man's death in custody, officials said Tuesday.

Daniel King, 30, of Millville, suffered a medical episode in July 2023 at the State Police Bridgeton Station. He died the next day at the hospital, according to the state Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which investigated King's death.

An autopsy revealed that King had phencyclidine (PCP) in his system at that time, the OAG said.

Per state law, the OAG investigates all deaths in police custody and presents the findings to a grand jury. The grand jury finished deliberating Sept. 23 and voted not to file charges against any involved state troopers.

Before getting arrested, King requested a police escort to retrieve belongings from a home in Fairfield Township, Cumberland County. While Tpr. Mark Allonardo was there, King became "confrontational" and attacked the officer, the OAG said.

During the ensuing struggle, both men fell to the ground. King bit Allonardo's face, piercing his skin, investigators said.

Two civilians intervened and held King while he was handcuffed. Several other state troopers — including Zachary Reichenbach, Nicolas Salamone and Arturo Sanchez — reached the scene to provide backup and assist in arresting and transporting King.

King was charged with aggravated assault on an officer.

He became unresponsive while in custody that evening at the Bridgeton Station, the OAG said. Troopers rendered aid before emergency personnel took King to Inspira Medical Center Vineland.

His condition continued deteriorating at the hospital, where he died the next night, the OAG said.

The state investigation included witness interviews, photographs, review of footage and autopsy results from the state medical examiner. The OAG released body-camera footage from the incident last October.