Beloved Church Handyman, 73, Dies After Being Mistaken for a Drunk Driver — Family Reaches $2.5 Million Settlement

A 73-year-old church handyman died after police officers allegedly mistook signs of a serious medical emergency for intoxication and took him into custody. Now, his family is set to receive a $2.5 million settlement following a wrongful-death lawsuit.

Juan Restrepo, a longtime church employee from Summit, New Jersey, was found behind the wheel of a damaged rental car in Newark on June 15, 2020. The vehicle had reportedly been involved in a minor collision, and a nearby business owner called 911 after becoming concerned that the driver appeared intoxicated.

When Newark police officers arrived, they found Restrepo confused and struggling to communicate. Officers Lorenzo Orsi and Lucfred Petion reportedly believed he was under the influence of alcohol and took him to a New Jersey Transit police facility at Newark Penn Station for a breathalyzer test.

However, Restrepo struggled to stand and walk. According to reports and body-camera footage cited in coverage of the lawsuit, officers had difficulty moving him through the station and eventually carried him by his arms and legs.

Restrepo was unable to complete the breathalyzer test and was arrested for refusing to take it. During the subsequent transfer for processing, he collapsed in a police vehicle and was taken by ambulance to St. Michael’s Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at 1:17 p.m.

An autopsy found no alcohol or drugs in his system. The medical examiner attributed his death to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Medical experts retained by the family argued that his deteriorating condition should have prompted officers to seek medical assistance rather than treat him as an intoxicated driver.

Restrepo’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging negligence, unlawful arrest and failure to provide appropriate medical care. Newark and New Jersey Transit denied wrongdoing, maintaining in legal filings that officers acted in good faith based on what they believed were signs of intoxication.

A state grand jury had previously declined to bring criminal charges against the officers.

The civil case was settled shortly before trial. Under the agreement, Newark will pay $1.75 million, while New Jersey Transit will contribute $750,000, bringing the total settlement to $2.5 million for Restrepo’s widow, Rocio.

Restrepo was remembered as a devoted and much-loved member of the community. He had worked for more than 20 years as a handyman and sexton at Christ Church in Summit, where he helped maintain the church and became a familiar presence to its congregation.

He had also helped care for the couple’s adult son, who has special needs. His death left his family and the church community grieving a man they described as kind, hardworking and deeply valued.

The settlement closes the family’s civil lawsuit, but it does not amount to a criminal finding against the officers involved.