No
charges against officer who struck, killed boy with car
WOODBURY, N.J. – New Jersey
authorities said Friday that they will not file charges against a police
officer who struck and killed a
10-year-old boy with his squad car last month.
The Gloucester County
Prosecutor’s Office said Friday that Franklin Township Patrolman Nicholas Locilento’s
action “was not criminal in nature.”
He was one of three officers speeding to a
nonemergency call on a wet roadway at around 7 p.m. on Dec. 28.
Authorities say three boys were running along the road heading to a sleepover.
Police say a 12-year-old boy
ran across the road and yelled that a car was coming. Ten-year-old Matthew
McCloskey ran into the road and was hit by the police car. The 12-year-old’s
younger brother did not attempt to cross the road.
The prosecutor’s office says
the officer had his headlights on but
not his siren and flashing lights.
The office said he hit his
brakes when he saw the children on the road but was still was traveling about 74 mph in a 50 mph zone
at the time of the crash. Officers are allowed to speed to calls, the office
said.
The prosecutor’s office said
Locilento was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and there is no
evidence he was using his cellphone when he crashed.
The officer tried to give
emergency aid to the boy, who was declared dead at the scene.
Locilento’s actions are still
subject to an administrative review. The prosecutor’s office said it would also
study whether police should be required to have emergency equipment on whenever
they’re exceeding the speed limit.
Gerry Hyland killed police oversight after the cops gunned down unarmed citizens...you elected now toss him out.
