JERSEY CITY – A Paterson man charged with slamming his motorcycle into Union City police officers investigating a fatal crash in 2017 pleaded guilty to aggravated assault Tuesday and will face a probationary sentence.

Richard Suazo, 27, would have faced up to five years in prison if convicted at trial in connection to the Oct. 4, 2017 incident at Palisade Avenue and 31st Street. Sean Lemus, a 16-year-old Union City High School student, was pronounced dead 15 minutes after his bicycle collided a Union City garbage truck at 7:30 p.m.

Officials said at the time that Suazo and another motorcyclist blasted down the closed street while officers were still conducting the accident investigation. At that time, police said Suazo crashed into the garbage truck and struck four officers.

The second motorcycle rider, Aryan Acosta-Reinoso, 25, also of Paterson, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eluding police. He admitted that he fled police after being ordered to stop at the scene. He too would have faced five years if convicted at trial.

Although he was originally charged with four counts of aggravated assault, Suazo's plea deal was for one count. In court Tuesday, he confessed that as he approached the scene he lost control of his motorcycle and slid into one of the officers, injuring him. He admitted that he was driving in a manner that recklessly caused significant bodily injuries to the officer.

In addition to a sentence of probation, Suazo will have to pay about $775 to the officer in restitution for damage to his equipment and uniform when sentenced on Oct. 19 by Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young.

Acosta-Reynoso will also face a probationary sentence on Oct. 19, as well as a loss of his driver's license for a period of six month to two years.

After the crash, Suazo was taken to Christ Hospital in Jersey City where he was treated and cleared for incarceration. Three officers were treated at local hospitals and the fourth was treated at the scene, officials said at the time.

The driver of the garbage truck was not charged.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski handled the cases against Suazo and Acosta-Reinoso. She told Young that officers involved in the incident had been consulted and they found the plea deals acceptable.

The prosecutor said one or more of the officers may speak at the sentencings, which will take place in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.