Pedestrian killed; ruled ‘accidental’

By Karen Zautyk 

Observer Correspondent

KEARNY – 

A 70-year-old Kearny woman was fatally injured last Wednesday night when she was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Devon St. at Midland Ave., KPD Chief John Dowie reported.

Dowie said the victim was walking across Devon from west to east shortly after 8 p.m., March 18, when she was hit by a Jeep that was attempting to make a left turn off Midland.

P.O. Jay Ward, the first officer on the scene, summoned Kearny EMS and paramedics and attempted to render medical aid while awaiting their arrival, Dowie said.

The woman was taken to Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, where she was later pronounced dead.

Dowie said the Jeep’s driver, a 25-year-old Kearny man, remained at the scene and was “very cooperative.”

The chief said the incident appeared to be “purely accidental” and there was no indication any alcohol was involved.

Given the severity of the victim’s injuries, members of the KPD Fatal Accident Unit — Sgt. John Taylor and Officers Adriano Marques and Peter Blair — were called to the scene, and “as a matter of course,” the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was notified, Dowie noted.

The HCPO has “determined there was no criminality involved,” he reported.

Authorities were withholding the identities of both the victim and the driver.

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