A former Paterson auxiliary police officer who fled the scene of a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist he and his partner were pursuing has been sentenced to five years in prison.
The Record reports 33-year-old Juan Martinez will have to serve 18 months of the sentence imposed Friday before he becomes eligible for parole.
Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. The charge stemmed from an April 2012 crash that killed 31-year-old Randolph Waddy of Garfield.
Authorities said Martinez and his partner pursued Waddy even though they weren't authorized to make traffic stops. Waddy lost control of his bike and crashed into a parked car.
Authorities say the two officers didn't stop after the crash or notify superiors.
The auxiliary police program was suspended after the crash.
