On the evening of May 31, a cyclist in New Jersey was struck by a Ford pickup truck and badly injured. The driver fled the scene but was followed and arrested a short time later. Police believe that impairment contributed to this man’s actions. Sadly, drunk driving accidents can have terrible consequences for everyone involved.
According to a news report, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a 49-year-old male was driving his pickup truck on Fairview Avenue in Verona when he hit the cyclist. The victim — a 51-year-old — was transported to an area hospital. As of the last report, this individual was said to be in stable condition.
The driver deemed responsible for this incident continued driving after hitting the cyclist. A witness is said to have followed this individual and helped police find him. The accused has been charged with failing to remain at the accident scene, open container and possession of a controlled substance. It is unclear if criminal court dates regarding this matter have been scheduled.
Victims of drunk driving accidents face physical, emotional and financial consequences that can negatively impact their lives for a long time. In this particular case, according to New Jersey laws, the injured cyclist has the right to seek compensation for any damages he or she has sustained as a result of this event. In order to do this, he or she may, with the assistance of an experienced attorney, file a personal injury claim in civil court in an effort to seek maximum relief.
Source: northjersey.com, “New York man charged in Verona DUI hit-and-run“, Joshua Jongsma, June 2, 2017