Trooper Cleared In Motorcycle Crash That Killed Toms River Man

TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury has declined to file charges against a New Jersey State trooper in the death of a motorcyclist from Toms River in a 2024 crash in Southampton, the state attorney general's office said Tuesday.

The grand jury voted "no bill" on Monday for Trooper Anthony Fernandes in the death of Frank Lando Jr., 65, the attorney general's office said.

Lando died April 9, 2024, after he was thrown from his motorcycle following a collision with Fernandes's patrol vehicle on Route 70 in Southampton, officials said.

Fernandes was driving west on Route 70 shortly before 11:40 a.m. on April 9, 2024, when he saw a vehicle headed east and speeding, authorities said. He began to make a U-turn in the area of Burns Mill Road and collided with Lando's Kawasaki motorcycle, which hit the driver's side of Fernandes's patrol vehicle, authorities said.

Lando was thrown from the bike. Fernandes got out and went to Lando and provided medical aid while waiting for more officers and emergency medical personnel, authorities said. Lando was taken to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 12:45 p.m.

Fernandes did not sustain significant injuries, authorities said.

The Attorney General’s Office investigated the crash and presented evidence including body-worn camera video, civilian witness and law enforcement statements, a fatal motor-vehicle reconstruction report, photographs, and autopsy results from the state medical examiner to the grand jury, authorities said.

The grand jury declined to charge after hearing all the evidence, the attorney general's office said.