Officer Under Investigation For Deadly Crash In Burlington Co. Won't Be Charged

SOUTHAMPTON, NJ — A state trooper involved in a Burlington County crash that killed a motorcyclist last year will not be charged in the incident.

State Police Tpr. Anthony Fernandes was under investigation for a deadly collision involving his patrol vehicle on April 9, 2024, in Southampton. A grand jury voted Monday not to file charges against him.

During the incident, Fernandes was on patrol and driving westbound on Route 70 when he saw a vehicle speeding eastbound, according to the State Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Fernandes began making a U-turn across Route 70 in an effort to stop the vehicle. While making the turn, he collided with a westbound motorcycle, the OAG said.

The motorcycle rider — Frank Lando, Jr., 65, of Toms River — was ejected from his vehicle.

Fernandes reported the crash to dispatch and treated Lando at the scene before other officers and emergency medical personnel arrived, the OAG said. Lando was brought to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m. — about an hour after the crash.

The trooper wasn't significantly injured in the collision.

State law requires the OAG to open an investigation when a person dies during an encounter with law enforcement or in custody. The findings are then presented to a grand jury, which determines whether to indict any officers involved.

Evidence in this incident included body-camera footage, witness statements from civilians and officers, a crash-reconstruction report, photographs, and autopsy results, the OAG said.

After deliberating, the grand jury concluded that Fernandes should not be charged.