Prosecutors in Gloucester County, New Jersey are investigating whether a police officer had his cruiser's lights and siren on when he hit and killed a 10-year-old boy while responding to a call Sunday night.
Matthew McCloskey was crossing Delsea Drive (Route 47) in Franklin Township, on his way to a sleepover with two friends, when he was struck by the patrol car, prosecutors said. A neighbor told NBC10 on Monday the boys had just left her front yard, where they were looking at her Christmas decorations.
The officer, identified by prosecutors as Patrolman Nicholas Locilento, was responding to a call at the time of the crash, police said.
Family and witnesses claimed the Locilento was traveling at a high rate of speed and did not have his lights or siren on. Authorities have not said whether this was the case.
Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld said each police department in New Jersey sets its own standard operating procedures for when an officer should activate a cruiser's lights and siren. He said these SOPs are based on guidelines put out by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.
Prosecutors have requested a copy of Franklin Township Police's procedures as well as the police report from the incident and information on the call Locilento was responding to, Weisenfeld said.
An autopsy will be performed on McCloskey on Monday.
