Paterson police officer arrested after deadly hit-and-run

PATERSON, N.J. (WABC) -- Authorities have arrested a Paterson police officer after they say he left the scene of an accident that killed a pedestrian.

Officer Jose Urena is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.

The 30-year-old was off-duty at the time of the accident at North Fourth and Temple streets on Tuesday night.

Jaquill Fields, 23, of Paterson was struck crossing the street. He was taken to St. Joseph's hospital where he died of his injuries.

Urena has been with the Paterson Police Department for 7 years. He has been suspended without pay.

"We was just walking up the street, a car came and hit us both," said the victim's brother Ameem Fields. "Smacked me into the wall, smacked him straight up the street."

Urena was in court Wednesday to face charges he hit the brothers and left the scene. Family members spoke.

"I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. And to find out it's a Paterson police officer left the scene instead of trying to help him," said an uncle, Henry Mottley.

Urena is a highly decorated Paterson officer who last year braved a burning building to rescue trapped siblings. He saved their lives, and the Fields family wants to know, why not this time?

"He couldn't try to save one more life? He hit two people, and you couldn't stop to see what's going on?", said a relative.

Urena is free on bond after pleading not guilty in court.