Hit-run accident injures bystander

by Alex Zdan/The Times

http://www.nj.com

TRENTON -- A 13-year-old girl was struck and injured outside a South Trenton convenience store in a two-car, hit-and-run collision Wednesday, spurring angry family members to attack the innocent driver who did not flee, police said.

Kavaeh Green of Trenton was in front of the Tu Pais convenience store at Centre Street and Furman Avenue around noon when a red Cadillac Deville allegedly ran a stop sign on Furman. Police said the Cadillac, registered to an unidentified Point Pleasant resident, struck a gold Mazda driven by 26-year-old Myranda Jennings of Trenton.

The impact flipped the Mazda onto its hood, crushing its windshield. Sliding upside down across Centre Street, the Mazda hit both Green and the storefront. Police said Green, who reportedly was riding her bicycle, was thrown over the car and landed in the street.

The Cadillac fled on Centre Street toward Bridge Street.

Police said members of Green's family quickly came to the scene and began to beat Jennings, who managed to get away and hide in a home farther down Centre Street.

Firefighters, police, and emergency personnel arrived minutes later to find a vacant car propped against the curb and Kavaeh Green sitting on the corner bleeding from multiple cuts and bruises.

Green was taken to Capital Health System at Fuld for treatment. There was no official word on her condition, but neighbors said she had received stitches.

An unnamed man working at Tu Pais told police his hand was injured when it was caught between a counter and the wall of the store when the car hit. He said the hand was swelling and sore, and was told by police to ask for medical attention if he felt he needed it.

Police also were able to locate Jennings, who revealed she was in the early stages of pregnancy. She was taken to Capital Health System at Mercer for treatment of injuries sustained in both the crash and the assault, police said. No further information was available on her condition.

A small crowd of bystanders began to gather, lined up single-file against the wall or on the sidewalk behind the police tape barriers. Construction workers at the Cracker Factory building across the street from the store said they were on the third floor at the time of the accident and did not hear anything until the sirens blared. A neighborhood man also did not see the crash, but said he heard the sounds of it very clearly.

Later in the day, neighborhood residents reported there were other girls with Green, all of whom ran out of the way when the accident happened.

Police say a witness was able to offer a license plate number for the Cadillac, which was traced to Point Pleasant. Police there attempted to contact the owner and asked family members that he call Trenton police.

Photos Courtesy of Gary Szabo