TRENTON — The Attorney General’s Office today released footage from a police body-worn camera and audio of police radio communications relating to the November 23, 2023 death of a Camden County man after he was fatally struck by a police vehicle in the Atco section of Waterford, New Jersey. The decedent was previously identified as Christofe “Christopher” Wita, 44, of Berlin, New Jersey.

The fatal police encounter is under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Investigators previously met with representatives of Mr. Wita’s family to review the recordings.

According to the preliminary investigation, Sergeant Richard Sbarra, of the Waterford Township Police Department, was on duty, driving a department vehicle, when his vehicle struck a pedestrian, later identified as Mr. Wita.  The fatal accident occurred on the White Horse Pike (Route 30) in Atco. Mr. Wita was pronounced deceased on scene at 2:19 a.m.

The recordings are available here: https://njoag.box.com/s/x7uzvywowy712nadb1q2db72xt0wuggs

N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of deaths that occur during encounters with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

The Independent Prosecutor Directive is posted on the Attorney General’s website and is available here: Independent Prosecutor Directive

OPIA’s standard operating procedures for grand jury presentations of investigations involving fatal police encounters are also posted on the Attorney General’s website, and are available here: OPIA Grand Jury SOPs

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