Police car kills 2 NYC pedestrians on Turnpike

SECAUCUS – State police say a police car struck and killed two people from New York City after they got out of their disabled vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The accident happened just after 1 a.m. Wednesday in the northbound lanes of the eastern spur in North Bergen, approaching the Vince Lombardi service area.

State police say 41-year-old Jason Champion of Brooklyn and 34-year-old Nuwnah Laroche of East Elmhurst were walking in the left northbound lanes after their SUV had broken down in the southbound lanes.

State police say they were struck by a patrol car driven by 46-year-old Officer Arsenio Pecora, who was treated for minor injuries.

The Washington Township Police Department in Bergen County says Pecora was returning from training at Fort Dix.

The accident remains under investigation.