Man Who Fell To His Death During Hudson County Police Chase ID'd As Texas Dad Of 3

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has identified a man whom they say fell to his death while being chased by police in a Hudson River waterfront town last week.

Brandon Lee Ortega, 26, of Mexia, Texas was identified Friday afternoon by the state.

A GoFundMe that was set up by his loved ones to bring him home to Texas says he's a father of three.

The Details

Last Wednesday, New Jersey officials sent a release saying that a man had died in a police chase after someone called 911 in Guttenberg on Nov. 12 to report a "disturbance."

The Attorney General's Office said police were also told that one of the involved men "was armed with a gun."

Guttenberg police spotted a man fitting the description, according to law enforcement, and chased him to the area of 7000 Kennedy Blvd. East, a road that snakes along a cliff in Hudson County.

"After a foot chase, Ortega climbed over a railing adjacent to the building and fell to his death over an embankment," state officials said. "Fire department and EMS personnel responded and Ortega was pronounced deceased at the scene. A gun was recovered on Ortega’s person at the scene."

The AG's office also identified Brandon Sauerwald as the Guttenberg police officer involved in the incident.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

A 2019 state law requires the Attorney General's office to investigate police encounters in which someone dies.

'Bring Brandon Home'

Meanwhile, Ortega's loved ones have set up a GoFundMe "to bring him home" and have a funeral in Texas.

"Brandon Lee Ortega lost his young life in a tragic accident on November 12th, 2024," says the GoFundMe. "He gained his wings leaving behind his wife and 3 daughters, along with his mother, grandmother, sisters, his first unborn niece, and many other family members and friends.

"Brandon’s departure is abrupt and has left his entire family in shock and scrambling to try to bring him home to Texas from the state of New Jersey. Funeral arrangements are TBD and will be updated here. His final resting place will be in Woodsboro, TX."

A group called South Texas Trail Riders identified him as a former rider.

The GoFundMe had raised just under $1,000 by Friday. The fundraiser is here.

READ MORE: Man Falls To His Death During Police Chase In NJ: AG