By Claire Heininger
Newark Star-Ledger (New Jersey)
Copyright 2007 Newark Morning Ledger Co.
All Rights Reserved
NEWARK, N.J. — A young, off-duty Newark firefighter was killed yesterday when a car made an illegal U-turn into his motorcycle as he led a pack of riders in the city’s Branch Brook Park, authorities said.
Reinaldo Martinez Jr., 25, was cruising north on Branch Book Park Drive through the park when he was struck by a Chevrolet Cavalier that crossed the double-yellow line, Newark Mayor Cory Booker said.
The 3:13 p.m. crash appeared accidental, authorities said.
“He was a man of courage. He was a young, hungry firefighter,” Booker said. “He’s just a guy who was always out in front. Today, unfortunately, he was in front of a pack of motorcycles.”
Martinez, a Newark native and avid motorcyclist who had been a firefighter for just over five years, was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead at 3:45 p.m., authorities said.
Police said he was wearing a helmet.
“It’s a grievous tragedy,” said Booker, who called Martinez a “young bright star” and “a Newark son.”
The Cavalier driver, whose name was not released yesterday, was questioned at county police headquarters, Booker said. No charges had been filed against the driver as of last night, and the crash is under investigation by the vehicular homicide squad of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, spokesman Paul Loriquet said.
Martinez’s shiny red Yamaha had been leading at least a dozen more motorcycles through the sun-drenched park, where a crowd of riders gathered, crying and hugging.
A member of the Thug Riders motorcycle group, Martinez had been riding for about six years and saved up to buy the Yamaha two years ago, said his cousin, Jimmy Martinez, 36.
Known as “Ray” among other firefighters, Reinaldo Martinez in February 2002 joined the Newark Fire Department, where he shone for his fearlessness, dedication and sense of humor, said Capt. Kevin Mitchko, Martinez’s captain at Ladder 10, a company of Mitchko and three firefighters.
“He was very aggressive. He had a lot of potential,” said Mitchko, who said the two responded to a residential fire on Evergreen Street together last Thursday. “He gave 110 percent. He was definitely into the job. He was always right there with me.”
Shannon McTighe, who graduated from the firefighting academy with Martinez and worked alongside him at Ladder 10, said his colleague was equally passionate about mastering motorcycles and extinguishing flames.
“He loved it. He loved coming to work,” McTighe said.
Martinez, a graduate of Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, is survived by his parents, Reinaldo Sr. and Zenaida, and his younger sister, Emily.
The fatal crash came just one week after a veteran Newark police officer, Sgt. Tommaso Popolizio, 33, was killed chasing a drag-racing suspect on Doremus Avenue.
“Our city’s still shaken from the death of the officer,” Booker said, standing at the park accident scene yesterday. “It’s a tough stretch for us. This is very tough for us to lose two, not good, but great men.”