MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The driver accused of hitting and killing a tow truck operator on the side of I-287 has been indicted by a Morris County Grand Jury, supporters say.
Pierre Innocent, 54, of Orange, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and violation of a law intended to promote public safety nearly a year after a tow truck driver, DJ Ortiz, 24, of Hopatcong, was killed while on the job.
Innocent was arraigned in Morris County court on Monday.
On July 2, 2025, police were called just north of Exit 30, North Maple Avenue, in Harding Township on reports of an accident.
Authorities discovered that a Ram tow truck driver, later identified as Ortiz, was assisting a disabled Honda on the side of the road when a Jeep Cherokee struck him in the shoulder of the roadway.
Ortiz sustained "serious injuries" from the crash. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds, police said.
Innocent, who was behind the wheel of the Jeep, sustained minor injuries.
The tragedy prompted Ortiz's employers, Ron and Sons Towing, based in Kenvil, to launch a campaign reminding drivers of the dangers roadside workers face every day.
"For more than a year, DJ's family, friends, coworkers, and the towing community have continued to fight to make sure what happened to him is not forgotten," Ron and Sons said after the indictment. "This indictment is an important step in that process, but the case is not over. DJ was only 24 years old. He went to work that morning and should have come home."
The company's efforts led to digital signs on New Jersey highways flashing with "Move Over For Emergency Vehicles" warnings, something Ron and Sons had been pushing state officials on for months.
Read More: NJ Tow Truck Driver's 'Careless' Death Renews Safety Struggle
Investigators determined that Innocent had violated Eileen's Law — failure to maintain a lane of travel may give rise to an inference that an individual was driving recklessly under the Vehicular Homicide statute.
Following the criminal charge, Innocent was released on pre-trial monitoring under the conditions that he forfeit his passport, not drive a motor vehicle, and avoid contact with Ortiz's next of kin.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family, friends and co-workers," said Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll. "We remind the public that slowing down and moving over when approaching emergency vehicles on the roadway can save lives."
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