N.J. State Police detective found guilty of endangering motorcyclist who died in 2023 crash
Mark Campagna was found guilty in connection with the death of Omar Kebbabi, who Campagna was chasing in an unmarked vehicle without lights or sirens while he was off duty.
A detective with the New Jersey State Police who initiated a high-speed chase while he was off duty in an unmarked vehicle and without activating lights and sirens, leading to the fatal crash of a motorcyclist, was found guilty Thursday by a Camden County jury of endangering another person.
Mark Campagna, 47, of Mays Landing, faces a maximum 18 months in state prison, and the revocation of his license to be a police officer in New Jersey, said New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
The June 20, 2023, crash in Springfield Township, Burlington County, killed Omar Kebbabi, 24, of Queens, N.Y.
Davenport said the jury determined that Campagna knowingly engaged in conduct that created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to Kebbabi.
“There is no evidence showing any lawful objective behind this pursuit. The defendant was not on duty. He never turned on his lights or sirens in an attempt to end the chase and effectuate a traffic stop of the victim,” Davenport said in a statement.
“This was a needless and reckless high-speed chase that put not only the victim, but also every other driver on the road, in grave danger. And it ended in tragedy,” Davenport said.
Campagna’s lawyer could not be reached for comment Thursday night.
Campagna and Kebbabi had an initial encounter on Route 206, several miles before the crash.
According to prosecutors, Campagna maintained that he was not trying to pull over the motorcycle, but was trying to get the license-plate number.
During the chase, Campagna did not contact law enforcement, as required by the attorney general’s vehicular pursuit policy.
Shortly before 4:50 p.m. at the intersection of Route 206 and Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Kebbabi collided with an unrelated civilian vehicle that was making a left turn.
A Springfield Township officer who was following the chase stopped to render medical aid, but Kebbabi was pronounced dead at the scene.
Video from the Springfield Township officer’s vehicle was released Thursday, and it showed the motorcycle and then Campagna’s unmarked vehicle speeding by. Prosecutors said the speeds exceeded 100 mph.
The police officer tried to catch up, and finally did when the crash happened.
