Authorities have released video showing a fatal crash between an Atlantic City police car and bicyclist as the investigation continues.
Everett Stern, 63, died a week after the June 18 crash at Arkansas and Arctic avenues.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability is investigating since a police officer was involved.
A preliminary investigation found that Officer Ahmed Waqar was responding to a routine call for service in a marked patrol vehicle with no lights or siren activated when the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m.
Waqar was traveling north on Arkansas Avenue, and Stern was headed east on Arctic when his bicycle collided with the driver's side of the police vehicle, the report says.
Waqar immediately called for emergency medical personnel and rendered aid.
An ambulance took Stern to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus, where he died June 25.
Video taken from a private security camera was released by the Attorney General's Office pursuant to policies established in 2019 that are designed to promote the fair, impartial and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters.
The video shows Stern enter the frame from the top right, appearing to come off the sidewalk. He makes three lanes of traffic before colliding with the police vehicle on the left side of the screen.
Investigators met with the Atlantic City man’s family and attorney Friday to review the video recording.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a state law enacted in January 2019 (P.L. 2019, c.1): It requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct all investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. Separately, the Independent Prosecutor Directive, which was issued in December 2019, outlines a 10-step process for conducting these investigations. The Directive establishes clear procedures governing such investigations to ensure that they are conducted in a full, impartial and transparent manner. Under both state law and the Directive, when the entire investigation is complete, the case will be presented to a grand jury, typically consisting of 16 to 23 citizens, to make the ultimate decision regarding whether criminal charges will be filed.
