Newark father-son police duo indicted in Parkway crash that killed Garfield man

Two Newark cops, a father and son, were indicted after the son was accused of striking and killing a Garfield man while allegedly driving drunk on the Garden State Parkway in November 2021, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

A grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against Newark police officer Louis Santiago, 25, of Bloomfield, on July 15, charging him with vehicular manslaughter. He was originally charged in November. His father, Luis Santiago, a Newark police lieutenant, was not initially charged, but was now indicted for hindering the prosecution by providing false information to police, prosecutors said.

The younger Santiago was driving on the shoulder of the Parkway going north at about 3 a.m. on Nov. 1, when he allegedly struck Damian Dymka, 29, a nurse. Authorities said that after hitting Dymka near exit 151, Santiago and his cousin, Albert Guzman, 25, the passenger, left the scene, before returning multiple times and later loading the victim into the car and brought the body to his family's home in Bloomfield. Neither called 911 or attempted to render aid to the victim, authorities said.

In November, Guzman and the younger Santiago's mother, Annette, were also charged with conspiracy to desecrate human remains, among other charges. A grand jury declined to indict Annette, and all charges against her were dropped, prosecutors said.

According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained in November, after striking Dymka, the younger Santiago informed his mother of the situation. Santiago, his mother and Guzman then allegedly discussed what to do with the body.

"Put that body back where you hit it," Annette said, according to the affidavit of probable cause. "Put it on the floor."

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Police said that at no point did Santiago or Guzman call 911 or attempt to render aid to Dymka. In Thursday's indictment announcement, prosecutors said the elder Santiago went to the scene of the crash and after a "significant delay" called 911.

According to the affidavit, Santiago, who said he had blood on his shirt, "expressed anger" that his father had informed police of the crash.

Authorities said the body was eventually returned to the scene, and was found by State Police in the back of the younger Santiago's car.

Prosecutors said officer Santiago deleted phone data, tampered with the crime scene, failed to call emergency aid and made false statements to law enforcement.

In a statement, the younger Santiago's attorney, Patrick Toscano, provided a conflicting account of the incident.

"The incident involving Officer Santiago is best described as a very sad and tragic accident. Indeed, the loss of any life under any circumstances is heart-rending," Toscano said. "Officer Santiago did not see the deceased walking on the Garden State Parkway in the dark until it was too late. When he thereafter realized what he hit with his vehicle was indeed a human being, he took immediate steps to attempt to transport the victim to a nearby hospital."

Toscano said his client was "heartbroken" over Dymka's death, and referenced his police career in Newark.

"A mere span of some 15 seconds in someone’s life cannot and should not ever define what that person is all about," Toscano said.

Frank Arleo, the elder Santiago's attorney said he was surprised by the indictment.

"When this happened, Lieutenant Santiago was assured by the prosecutor and the State Police they considered him only a witness and not a target of any criminal charge," Arleo said. "It sounds like the grand jury took it upon themselves to charge him."

Arleo said the lieutenant told his son to go back to the scene and call the police.

"I think he did everything he could've done to make the situation correct," Arleo said.

In addition to vehicular manslaughter, prosecutors said the younger Santiago was indicted for knowingly leaving the scene of a fatal car crash, unlawfully disturbing human remains, causing death while driving under the influence of alcohol, endangering an injured victim, tampering with evidence, hindering prosecution and multiple counts of conspiracy. Additionally, he was charged with two counts of official misconduct.

Lt. Santiago was also indicted for official misconduct by failing to properly summon emergency aid for a motor vehicle accident involving an injured person, prosecutors said.

The defendants, including Guzman, were all processed and released. A court date has not yet been scheduled.

Both Santiagos have been suspended indefinitely by the police department, a city spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Newark NJ cops indicted in fatal pedestrian strike of Garfield NJ man