On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m., Officer Thomas Golda was dispatched to the area of Lake and Jay avenues on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving three parked vehicles. Additionally, it was learned the suspect vehicle was attempting to flee the scene.
Upon arrival, Officer Golda, along with Officer Glenn Flora, located the suspect vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Paige Pearn, who was attempting to drive away from the scene. Also present in the vehicle was her 5-year old daughter, seated in the rear passenger seat, who had sustained a laceration to the top of her head. It was observed the child restraint in the rear seat was not properly secured at the time of police contact.
Lyndhurst EMS responded to the scene and transported the juvenile to Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, for treatment. Pearn was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
While speaking with Pearn, officers observed she appeared confused about the circumstances of the crash. Her eyes were noted to be bloodshot and watery. Based on these observations, Pearn was subjected to standardized field-sobriety tests. At the conclusion of the testing, Officer Golda placed Pearn under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated. The child was released to the custody of a family member.
The vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law.
Police say Pearn had been arrested just a few weeks earlier — May 9 to be precise — also on a DWI charge.
Because Pearn was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence with a juvenile passenger who sustained injuries as a result of the crash, she was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a second-degree crime. Additionally, she was issued summonses for DWI, refusal to submit a blood sample and reckless driving before being released with a pending court appearance in municipal court.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.