Tragic Pedestrian Accident Shocks New Jersey Town

The death of a female pedestrian, 58, busy shopping at a town market has shaken many residents of the Passaic County town of Hawthorne. The pedestrian accident happened shortly after 2 p.m. on a recent afternoon in August, when a speeding pickup truck crashed through a police barricade and three stalls before hitting the New Jersey beautician. The victim was then dragged for four blocks before the driver of the pickup truck stopped his vehicle.

At least two more people suffered minor injuries. At the time of the accident, only a few people were still shopping as it was near closing time. According to an eyewitness, it is fortunate the accident did not happen earlier when there were still many visitors buying goods.

Many questions regarding the accident remain unanswered, such as how could the driver not have noticed he was dragging a victim along for blocks. The only information provided by the police is that the driver of the pickup truck has been criminally charged and arrested. He is accused of fleeing a fatal accident scene as well as vehicular homicide. Bail was set at $200,000.

Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case against the driver, the family of the deceased New Jersey victim may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the pickup truck driver. A civil claim arising from a fatal pedestrian accident may lead to damages being awarded should the evidence document that the negligent actions of a driver were the root cause of the accident. Any monetary damages awarded may assist the family of the deceased to cope financially during an understandably difficult time.

Source: northjersey.com, “Hawthorne man, 48, charged with vehicular homicide in farmers’ market death“, Minjae Park, Andrew Wyrich and Jim Norman, Aug. 10, 2014