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| New Jersey state police under fire over second high-speed car escort | New Jersey state police under fire over second high-speed car escort |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| New Jersey state police seem to have developed a habit of escorting speeding sports cars down public highways. | New Jersey state police seem to have developed a habit of escorting speeding sports cars down public highways. |
| Two state troopers have been suspended in connection with a high-speed trip to Atlantic City last month, after New Jersey's Star Ledger detailed complaints that the troopers escorted the convoy of luxury cars at speeds of over 100mph. Soon after the allegations were revealed, a 2010 video surfaced depicting another dangerous motorcade helped by state police. A second investigation is now in progress. | Two state troopers have been suspended in connection with a high-speed trip to Atlantic City last month, after New Jersey's Star Ledger detailed complaints that the troopers escorted the convoy of luxury cars at speeds of over 100mph. Soon after the allegations were revealed, a 2010 video surfaced depicting another dangerous motorcade helped by state police. A second investigation is now in progress. |
| The 2010 video is shot by two men who narrate the trip like a pair of schoolboys describing their first rollercoaster ride. They scream and yell and repeatedly say they are being escorted by police. | The 2010 video is shot by two men who narrate the trip like a pair of schoolboys describing their first rollercoaster ride. They scream and yell and repeatedly say they are being escorted by police. |
| "We're being escorted by state police. Oh my god. Timing is perfect … the state police are cruising!" one of the young men behind the camera exclaims. At two points during their escapade the men film troopers apparently not involved in the convoy pulling over other drivers. | "We're being escorted by state police. Oh my god. Timing is perfect … the state police are cruising!" one of the young men behind the camera exclaims. At two points during their escapade the men film troopers apparently not involved in the convoy pulling over other drivers. |
| A police vehicle is seen leading the convoy of high-end cars through busy traffic. The sports cars weave between other motorists, nearly rear-ending one vehicle. The men seem to acknowledge that their disregard for the safety of others might upset people. | A police vehicle is seen leading the convoy of high-end cars through busy traffic. The sports cars weave between other motorists, nearly rear-ending one vehicle. The men seem to acknowledge that their disregard for the safety of others might upset people. |
| "That poor girl's probably like: 'What the hell?'" one of the men reflected. | "That poor girl's probably like: 'What the hell?'" one of the men reflected. |
| At one point a state police vehicle – presumably the same one seen at the front of the convoy – pulls ahead of the filmers, who remark with excitement that they can't keep up. | At one point a state police vehicle – presumably the same one seen at the front of the convoy – pulls ahead of the filmers, who remark with excitement that they can't keep up. |
| "The state police is cruising. The New Jersey state police … we can't keep up! This is the highlight of my life," one the men declares. | "The state police is cruising. The New Jersey state police … we can't keep up! This is the highlight of my life," one the men declares. |
| The troopers suspended after March's incident include Sergeant Nadir Nassry and Trooper Joseph Ventrella. Ventrella has been with the NJSP for six years. Nassry, meanwhile, is a 25-year veteran of the force. Both men have been suspended without pay. | The troopers suspended after March's incident include Sergeant Nadir Nassry and Trooper Joseph Ventrella. Ventrella has been with the NJSP for six years. Nassry, meanwhile, is a 25-year veteran of the force. Both men have been suspended without pay. |
| According to eyewitness accounts, two state police were seen escorting dozens of Porsches, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and other vehicles on March 30. The police cars had their emergency lights flashing, and witnesses said all of the cars participating had their license plates covered with tape. One of the witnesses described the vehicles as "Death Race 2012." | According to eyewitness accounts, two state police were seen escorting dozens of Porsches, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and other vehicles on March 30. The police cars had their emergency lights flashing, and witnesses said all of the cars participating had their license plates covered with tape. One of the witnesses described the vehicles as "Death Race 2012." |
| According to the attorney for Nassry, the escort was requested by two-time Super Bowl champion and former New York Giants star Brandon Jacobs, recently signed to the San Francisco 49ers. Charles Sciarra, Nassry's attorney, said the two have known each other for five years. Jacobs' agent acknowledged that his client did travel to Atlantic City last month, but was not aware of the police escort. | According to the attorney for Nassry, the escort was requested by two-time Super Bowl champion and former New York Giants star Brandon Jacobs, recently signed to the San Francisco 49ers. Charles Sciarra, Nassry's attorney, said the two have known each other for five years. Jacobs' agent acknowledged that his client did travel to Atlantic City last month, but was not aware of the police escort. |
| On the day of the joyride, Michael Breen, a founding member of Driving Force Club, an elite New York City group of luxury sports car enthusiasts, posted a picture of himself with Jacobs. Breen wrote: "Big thanks to Brandon Jacobs for a 'very fun' run this morning. Good luck to everyone in AC tonight, and remember … always bet on black!!!" Jacobs is wearing a blue vest with the New Jersey state police emblem in the photo. | On the day of the joyride, Michael Breen, a founding member of Driving Force Club, an elite New York City group of luxury sports car enthusiasts, posted a picture of himself with Jacobs. Breen wrote: "Big thanks to Brandon Jacobs for a 'very fun' run this morning. Good luck to everyone in AC tonight, and remember … always bet on black!!!" Jacobs is wearing a blue vest with the New Jersey state police emblem in the photo. |
| New Jersey governor Chris Christie, at a bill signing in Newark, said: "I just shook my head. What are you going to do? It's a completely ridiculous story. Shouldn't have happened." | New Jersey governor Chris Christie, at a bill signing in Newark, said: "I just shook my head. What are you going to do? It's a completely ridiculous story. Shouldn't have happened." |
| The governor assured the public that there would be more stories of irresponsible activity in the future. "Dumb thing to do – but let me assure you it's not the last dumb thing we'll see happen." The crowd chuckled and Christie went on to say that such incidents keep his job interesting. | The governor assured the public that there would be more stories of irresponsible activity in the future. "Dumb thing to do – but let me assure you it's not the last dumb thing we'll see happen." The crowd chuckled and Christie went on to say that such incidents keep his job interesting. |
| "You don't wake up in the morning and say: maybe what'll happen today is we'll have state troopers leading Lamborghinis and Porsches down the Parkway at 110mph, and then block intersections for them so they won't have to wait for lights," he said. | "You don't wake up in the morning and say: maybe what'll happen today is we'll have state troopers leading Lamborghinis and Porsches down the Parkway at 110mph, and then block intersections for them so they won't have to wait for lights," he said. |