Driver Returns to Accident Scene in Different Vehicle After Fatal Hit and Run Crash

After a car crash, all parties are to remain at the accident scene to exchange information and render medical aid. When this doesn’t happen, it is called a hit and run accident. A hit and run crash is illegal and has serious consequences for all involved.

In a recent hit and run accident in New Jersey, a bicyclist was left for dead. The driver then  returned in a different vehicle. He was arrested and is now facing various criminal charges.

The accident happened on the evening of April 23. A 44-year-old man from Pittsgrove Township was driving a pickup truck hauling a tractor with a 15-foot-wide seeder attachment. He was  traveling east on Willow Grove Road near Parvins Mill Road in Pittsgrove.

A 61-year-old man from Vineland was riding an electric bicycle west on the eastbound side of the road. The pickup was unable to avoid the bicyclist. The man was hit by the right side of the seeder attachment on the tractor. He died from his injuries.

The man in the pickup truck fled the accident scene. He later returned in a different vehicle. An affidavit of probable cause states that the man drove to his residence in Pittsgrove and removed the tractor from the trailer before returning to the scene. However, details with one of his charges alleges that he drove to an address in Newfield.

The man was arrested and is currently in jail. He was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, third-degree vehicular homicide, and fourth-degree tampering with evidence. He was charged with driving under the influence and numerous other violations.

When Cars Hit Bicycles

When motor vehicles hit bicycles, the consequences can be severe. Serious injuries or fatalities for the cyclist often occur due to the size and differences in speed. Common causes of these accidents include:

• Driver negligence. This includes distracted driving and failing to yield.
• Dooring incidents. These occur when a parked car’s door opens into a cyclist’s path.
• Unsafe passing or turning. Drivers need to look carefully when passing or making left or right turns.
• Poor visibility. When there is fog, rain, or other conditions, visibility can be reduced. This makes it harder to see bicyclists and other small vehicles.

In most cases, the driver is held liable for bicycle accidents. However, fault is ultimately determined by traffic laws and situational details. Police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage can play a key role in determining liability.

Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today   

Car accidents can happen in a number of ways. Many drivers hit trees and other objects for a variety of reasons and these crashes can be fatal.

Get the legal help you need from a Morristown bicycle accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. If you have been injured by someone else’s compensation, we can assist you in getting the compensation you are entitled to receive. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (973) 455-1567.

Source:

nj.com/salem/2025/04/driver-fled-after-fatal-crash-with-bicyclist-came-back-in-a-different-car-cops-say.html