Two Charged After NJ Crash Kills Former Cop

Two people face charges following a New Jersey highway crash that killed a former police officer.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli says cars driven by Cameron Jalali-Arki of Rutherford and Salvatore Benanti of Franklin Lakes were reportedly racing at high speeds in the northbound lanes of Route 17 in Upper Saddle River when the crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Molinelli says the cars didn't make contact, but Jalali-Arki lost control of his vehicle. It left the roadway and crashed into a parked trailer, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jalali-Arki served on the Hillside force for about two years before resigning.

Molinelli says Benanti and his passenger, Kelsi Tichacek of Paramus, allegedly lied to investigators about events leading to the crash. Both were charged with hindering apprehension.

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