“NJ Death Race” Could Bring Charges For Troopers

A “death race” in which NJ state troopers escorted a high-speed caravan of luxury cars to Atlantic City could be netting criminal charges for the officers involved.

A source close to the investigation told NBCNews.com that the police NJ death race involved several expensive cars, including one driven by New York Giants star Brandon Jacobs. The incident, which took place in March, resulted in the suspensions of Sgt. 1st Class Nassir Nassry, a 25-year-veteran of the State Police, and trooper Joseph Ventrella, 28. Nassry reportedly ordered Ventrella to help with the caravan.

The NJ death race traveled down the Garden State Parkway at speeds of more than 100 mph and turned into a national story after one driver who was passed by the Lamborghinis, Porches and other expensive cars described it as “Death Race 2012.”

Somehow, no one was hurt and there were no accidents as the convoy moved through northern New Jersey to Atlantic City, NBCNews.com reported. A construction worker shot footage of the NJ death race, showing that some of the vehicles obscured their license plates with tape to avoid detection.

The officers involved in the NJ death race could face more problems. Nasry filed retirement papers on Thursday and his attorney held a new conference blasting the attorney general’s office for pursuing charges. Nassry, who has an otherwise perfect record, might even lose his pension from the incident if he is convicted–the equivalent of a $3 million fine.

Nassry knows Jacobs from charity work, Bloomberg reported. Jacobs allegedly contacted the trooper with a request for an escort for the drivers, who were headed to a seaside resort to discuss fundraising.

Nassry said he has done nothing criminal in connection to the NJ death race. He claims he received nothing in return for the escort–which was reportedly backed by the results of a polygraph test–and is asking for his full pension and benefits.