Authorities have arrested a driver in the hit-and-run accident that killed an off-duty NYPD officer on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Thirty-five-year-old William Espinal-Mejia has been arrested on a charge of second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident, proseuctors and police said Monday. He turned himself in to authorities and has been jailed on $100,000 bail.
It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
Vincent Harrison, 25, of Valley Stream, Long Island, had gotten into an accident with another vehicle in a southbound lane in Elizabeth at around 3 a.m. Sunday, state police said. He got out of one of the cars and began arguing with the driver of the other vehicle when a third vehicle, allegedly driven by Espinal-Mejia, fatally hit Harrison.
Harrison was on the shoulder of the highway and had his weapon drawn when he was hit, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Espinal-Mejia stopped briefly but left the scene before troopers arrived, police said.
Black and purple bunting is hanging outside the 100th Precinct in Queens, where Harrison worked. It wasn't immediately clear if he was driving one the vehicles involved in the crash.
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In a statement released Sunday, his family said he had an "infectious smile and laugh."
"He will be deeply missed by his family and friends," the family said.
