NY Man Charged After Route 80 Police Chase

HACKENSACK, NJ – Two New York men face charges after a police chase on Route 80 ended with a crash in Hackensack on Wednesday, according to authorities.

Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives captured Deiby Valdez-Santos, a 28 year old from New York, NY and Jose Rodriguez-Castillo, a 26 year old from Forest Hills, NY after the men’s car crashed off the highway, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

Around 1 p.m., a detective pulled over the pair’s Honda sport utility and they sped off as soon as the officer got out of his car, Musella said.

A short time later, another prosecutor’s office detective spotted the car and tried to pull it over, but the driver of the Honda accelerated and continued east, the prosecutor said. Out of concern for civilian safety, the detective terminated the pursuit, Musella said.

“A short distance ahead, the driver attempted to make an abrupt turn from the far left lane onto the Interstate 80 Hudson Street exit in Hackensack. The car went up onto the grassy median, hit a wall, and landed on its side. It also sideswiped another vehicle, but no one was injured,” the prosecutor said.

Valdez-Santos was charged with one count of eluding and one count of possession of marijuana. He was taken to Bergen County Jail pending his first court appearance.

Rodriguez-Castillo was charged with possession of marijuana and released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance in Hackensack.