On February 10, 2024, a tragic accident occurred in Valley Stream, Long Island, resulting in the tragic death of 22-year-old Pablo Rivera Jr., known as "PJ" among his close circle. Rivera, described as a car enthusiast, met his untimely demise during a joyride in a high-performance vehicle driven by Aaron Cooper, a former NYPD officer who had been fired the previous year.
According to court documents and witnesses, the night began joyfully for Rivera and his friends with an outing in Long Island City. As they were returning home, Rivera expressed interest in going for a ride in Cooper's high-powered sports car after hearing its engine through a phone call. “Pablo was a car person. He absolutely loves cars. So when he heard a nice engine he couldn’t stay away from it.” expressed Emmanuel Gomez, a trusted friend. Eventually, Rivera got into Cooper's yellow 2023 Toyota Supra for a ride, just two blocks away from his home.
However, tragedy struck when Cooper, under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit, lost control of the vehicle. He veered into an oncoming lane on Rosedale Road near Lawrence Court, hitting a curb and a pole. The car flipped over from the impact, resulting in Rivera's death at the scene.
Friends and family of Rivera expressed shock and grief over his sudden passing. Described as selfless and loyal, Rivera was pursuing a career as an aeronautical engineer, driven by his passion for mechanics and travel. More than 200 mourners attended his funeral service at Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream.
As reported by Daily News, Aaron Cooper, is facing charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated (DWI), is held without bail and is due to appear in Nassau County Criminal Court on March 1. Cooper had a history of aggressive behavior, as evidenced by a previous incident where he pulled his gun during an off-duty altercation over parking in Queens.