Orlando Man Convicted For Killing A Man In January 2019 Vehicle Crash

Friday, May 23, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PATERSON, NJ.- On Monday, May 19, 2025, following a trial in Passaic County Superior Court, a jury found Alvin W. Mootoo, 52, of Orlando, Florida, guilty on the charges of second-degree Death by Auto/ Reckless Vehicular Homicide; and a Disorderly Persons Offense of Assault by Auto in connection with the death of a Paterson, New Jersey man.

     Jury selection began on April 7, 2025, before Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark in Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson, New Jersey, and following around one day of deliberations, the jury convicted Mootoo of Death by Auto/Reckless Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto. After the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Clark accepted the verdicts and scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2025. At that time, Mootoo faces up to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.

Evidence Presented At Trial

     During the trial, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office presented evidence that on January 2, 2019, Mootoo drove a black Buick Encore around 55 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone and ran a stop sign at the intersection of 18th Avenue and East 24th Street in the City of Paterson, causing an initial collision with a motor vehicle that was being operated by Mr. Juariz Polanco-Pena.

     As a result of the initial crash, Mootoo’s Buick Encore flipped over and continued down East 24th Street on its side, striking Mr. Jorge Pena-Mesa as he stood near his parked vehicle and knocking his body underneath a nearby parked van. Mr. Pena-Mesa tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in the early morning hours of January 3, 2019.