AG Releases Report On Man Hit, Killed By Haverstraw Officer

ROCKLAND COUNTY – Attorney General Letitia James’ Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit released its report Friday into the death of Michael Rizzetta, who died Nov. 17, 2018 after being struck by a vehicle operated by Haverstraw Police Department Officer Keith Rosario.

SIPU found no evidence of wrongdoing by Police Officer Rosario and deemed the matter a tragic incident. Attorney General James released the following statement:

The death of Michael Rizzetta is tragic and heartbreaking for his family and loved ones. The Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU) takes its duty to fully investigate unarmed civilian deaths as described in Executive Order No. 147 with the utmost seriousness. SIPU conducts these investigations with the thoughtful deliberation and great care they deserve. That is precisely how our team conducted this investigation and drafted this report. We offer our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Rizzetta and hope that this report brings some degree of closure.

Rosario was driving eastbound on State Route 202, about 250 feet west of Forest Drive, in Garnerville, just before 5 a.m. Rizzetta was crossing the three-lane highway on foot. According to news reports he was headed to the nearby Mobil station as he did most days, on foot because his vehicle was stuck in the mud.

Rizzetta was wearing dark clothing, the road was unlit there, and there were no crosswalk markings, stop signs, or traffic signals, the report said.

"Based on the totality of the evidence, the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) finds that Mr. Rizzetta’s death was a tragic accident and was not the result of any unlawful acts or omissions by PO Rosario," the report concluded.