>Date Published: 2020/02/12
A North Bergen man was arrested Monday morning, February 10, after an incident in which he ran over two pedestrians while drunk.
37 year-old Lawrence Smith of North Bergen wsa arrested at around 10:30 a.m. on two counts of assault by auto while under the influence of narcotics, after an investigation on the pedestrian strike that occurred November 23, 2019.
According to reports, a 50 year old mother and her 22 year-old son was struck at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Sherman Place at around 11:30 p.m. by a vehicle driven by Smith. Smith remained at the scene of the collision.
The 50 year-old mother was found unresponsive at the scene and was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center with serious injuries. The 22 year-old son was transported to the same hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The charges above are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are one of the most fatal types of crashes that happen on the roadways of New Jersey. In a report compiled by the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit says that in 2017, there were a total of 179 pedestrian crashes which resulted in 35 injuries and 183 fatalities. 91 of these fatalities happened because the pedestrian was crossing at a prohibited area, and 40 fatal crashes happened while the pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk.
New Jersey law states that a driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals. Pedestrians must also obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections. Drivers and pedestrians who fail to follow these laws may face a hefty fine.
We urge drivers and pedestrians alike to observe and follow laws so that the roadways can be safer for everyone.
Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers