A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges against a Franklin Borough Police sergeant at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Deanna D’Arco, 19, of Vernon, New Jersey, following a May 27, 2024 motor vehicle crash in Franklin Borough, New Jersey.
Ms. D’Arco’s death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, with appropriate transparency regarding the process, consistent with the directive.
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. This evidence, including video of the crash, was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on September 29, 2025, and voted “no bill,” finding no criminal charges should be filed against Sergeant William Grissom of the Franklin Police Department.
According to the investigation, at approximately 10:39 a.m., Sergeant Grissom was on duty traveling southbound on Route 23 in a marked police vehicle. While traveling at approximately 38 to 40 mph, Sergeant Grissom’s 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 roadway, crossed the double yellow line on Route 23, and attempted to head north in the southbound lane. Sergeant Grissom’s police vehicle collided with the Honda, striking the Honda’s passenger side where Ms. D’Arco was seated.
Sergeant Grissom contacted dispatch to report the collision, assisted in removing the Honda’s passenger door, and remained on scene directing traffic while awaiting the arrival of additional officers and emergency medical personnel.
Ms. D’Arco sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Newton Medical Center for treatment. Ms. D’Arco was then transferred to Morristown Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased on May 29, 2024 at 1:20 p.m. The driver of the Honda and Sergeant Grissom were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The dispatch and 911 audio, Sergeant Grissom’s motor vehicle recorder video footage, and surveillance videos of the collision were previously released and are available here.
A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter 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 grand jury is instructed on the elements of the potential criminal offenses, including criminal homicide offenses, that could be brought and, as required by statutes, the grand jury is instructed on self-defense and other forms of legal justification.
A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflict of interest was found involving any individual assigned to the investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by OPIA Executive Director Eric Gibson in accordance with the policies and procedures established for these presentations in the SOPs.
At the conclusion of these investigations, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA determines whether any principal should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG’s Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA monitors any resulting review and takes such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.
