Ex-cop who killed pedestrian, took body home to parents, then brought it back to crash scene again learns his fate

Luis Santiago and Damian Z. Dymka (CBS News screenshots)

Luis Santiago and Damian Z. Dymka (CBS News screenshots)

A 26-year-old former New Jersey police officer will spend several years behind bars after admitting to drunkenly hitting a pedestrian with his car, leaving the scene, coming back to claim the victim’s dead body, driving home with the remains in his vehicle, then returning a second time to put the body back. Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler on Wednesday sentenced Louis Santiago to serve five years in a state correctional facility for the 2021 slaying of 29-year-old nurse Damian Z. Dymka, authorities confirmed to Law&Crime.

Santiago reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count each of reckless vehicular homicide, desecrating human remains, and official misconduct. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the remaining 13 counts he was facing. Wigler sentenced Santiago to five years in prison for each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently. Santiago also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, for which he received a sentence of 30 days.

In addition to his time in prison, Santiago will have to serve three years of post-release supervision and is prohibited from working in the public sector.

Santiago’s father, who is also named Luis Santiago, pleaded guilty to obstructing the administration of the law and was sentenced to two years of probation. The former Newark Police Department lieutenant lied to investigators about what happened on the night of the fatal accident.

Santiago’s mother was initially charged for allegedly helping her son after he brought Dymka’s body to her house, but a grand jury declined to indict her and the charges against her were subsequently dropped.

Before being formally sentenced, an emotional Santiago addressed the court and apologized for the pain his actions caused Dymka’s family and friends.

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