No charges in fatal crash

A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against a Franklin police sergeant in connection with the death of Deanna D’Arco after a motor vehicle crash in the borough on May 27, 2024.

D’Arco, a 19-year-old Vernon resident, died of her injuries two days later at Morristown Medical Center.

Her death was investigated by the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury.

The investigation included dispatch and 911 audio, video footage from a police dashboard camera, surveillance videos, civilian and law enforcement interviews, photographs, crash investigation reports, data from the police vehicle’s data event recorder, toxicology results for both drivers, and autopsy results from the medical examiner.

After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations Sept. 29 and voted “no bill,” finding no criminal charges should be filed against Sgt. William Grissom.

According to the investigation, at about 10:40 a.m., Grissom was on duty traveling southbound on Route 23 in a marked police vehicle. While traveling at 38 to 40 mph, his vehicle collided with a black Honda Prelude that was exiting the ShopRite parking lot near the intersection of Route 23 and Walsh Street.

The collision occurred when the Honda emerged from behind vehicles that were in traffic on the northbound side of the road, crossed the double yellow line on Route 23, and attempted to head north in the southbound lane. Grissom’s vehicle collided with the Honda, striking the passenger side where D’Arco was seated.

Grissom reported the collision, assisted in removing the Honda’s passenger door and directed traffic while awaiting the arrival of additional officers and emergency medical personnel.

D’Arco sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Newton Medical Center for treatment. She then was transferred to Morristown Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m. May 29, 2024.

The driver of the Honda and Grissom were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A 2019 law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the person who died is in custody.

It requires that all of those investigations be presented to a grand jury.