4:30 p.m.
Police charged a 19-year-old college student from South Brunswick, who was conducting classroom observations at South Brunswick High School, in this morning's hit and run.
Shivangi Patel, a student at Rutgers University, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries, endangering the welfare of an injured victim, and numerous additional motor vehicle violations.
According to police, Patel was headed north in a 2009 Nissan Altima near the driveway in front of the main Ridge Road entrance to SBHS, when she allegedly struck a female 14-year-old high school sophomore, who was walking in the crosswalk on Stouts Lane from the parking lot into the school.
The victim was knocked onto the hood of the Altima and then hit the windshield of the car. Patel allegedly continued to drive off from the scene towards First Avenue, according to police.
The victim was transported by South Brunswick EMS to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. She suffered a severe concussion and a fractured clavicle, police said. The victim was expected to be released from the hospital later this evening.
Following the incident, investigators worked with school officials to review the videotape of the hit and run, while also interviewing numerous witnesses.
South Brunswick Police spokesman Sgt. Jim Ryan said the collision caused parts of the Altima to be left at the crash scene. Police then took the parts to officials at Acme Nissan, who said the parts came from a 2007-09 Nissan Altima.
Sgt. Ken Drost was able to locate the suspect vehicle parked about two blocks away from the school. Police said the vehicle had significant damage to the passenger side of the car and had a hole in the windshield.
According to police, Patel was conducting class observations at the high school and had pulled into the SBHS parking lot looking for a spot to park her car. She allegedly struck the student before driving two blocks and parking her vehicle.
Patel then allegedly had her father drive her back to the school, where she signed in and did her class observation, according to police. Sgt. Ryan said she was arrested near a township residence shortly after 2 p.m.
Patel's bail was set at $2,500. Sgt. Ryan said no charges have been filed yet against Patel's father.
"This driver ran down this student as she was only feet from the school," said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "Sgt. Ken Drost was determined to track this driver down. He showed tremendous determination in piecing together all aspects of this crash investigation and locating the driver. His efforts reflect the best of our agency."
***
2 p.m.
South Brunswick Police have arrested a suspect in this morning's hit and run incident at South Brunswick High School. Police spokesman Sgt. Jim Ryan said the suspect was arrested at a township residence shortly after 2 p.m.
The suspect was identified as a female college student, but no further information was available.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
***
11:45 a.m.
A female student of South Brunswick High School was struck by a car while she was walking to school early this morning in a hit and run incident.
South Brunswick Police spokesman Sgt. Jim Ryan said the student had just been dropped off by her father at 7:25 a.m. and was crossing Stouts Lane using a crosswalk. At that point, a black sedan struck the student near the Ridge Road side of Stouts Lane, according to Sgt. Ryan. The sedan then fled the scene towards First Avenue.
"We do have some video images from the school and we're working with school officials at this time," Sgt. Ryan said. "We're asking for the person to come forward and turn themselves in. They may have panicked after they did it, but we need them to come forward so we can resolve this."
The student was taken to the emergency room of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for non-life threatening injuries.
Sgt. Ryan said dozens of students witnessed the hit and run and police are currently tracking a number of leads.
SBHS Principal Tim Matheney sent out an email alert to parents Friday afternoon about the incident.
"The student is recovering from injuries, and the student's parents are hopeful for a release from the hospital soon," he said. "In response to the situation, a team of officers from the South Brunswick Police Department and high school administration have been collaborating on a very aggressive investigation throughout the day. Police and administrators have interviewed a number of eyewitnesses, and our surveillance camera footage has been reviewed."
Matheney added that the high school Administrative Team and the police department will again review traffic safety measures.
Drivers on school property are reminded of the following:
- It is imperative that drivers observe the posted speed limit of 15 mph.
- It is imperative that drivers avoid distracted driving (no texting, etc.) on campus and whenever operating their vehicles.
"I personally have observed individuals, including parents, driving on campus while talking on a cell phone, and it frustrates me greatly," Matheney said.
- It is imperative that drivers -- especially at drop-off and pick-up times -- be observant especially when approaching crosswalks.
Anyone with information should call South Brunswick Police at 732-329-4646 ext. 5202.
And yes, it could have happened to any driver of any race, but I think 99% of the people of any and every race in NJ would have immediately stopped or at the very least, turned themselves in soon thereafter if their initial reaction was panic.
This is an example of crime committed by an individual and LAW should take it own course and should be applied equally. To make this discussion meaningful and serve a good purpose, lets think what should be done next so that our community is safer and better.
For this unfortunate episode, I would pray for injured student to recover at the earliest, Law to act as it should and Community to find solution and take next steps so that such incidents should not happen again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial It happens when a person is faced with a fact so overwhelming that they reject it, minimize it, or refuse to accept responsibility for it. Most 19 year olds, despite their age, are not adults yet. As Judy said, Shivangi Patel made a terrible choice. She hurt someone; she did not stop to help, but ran away. But the name-calling and the epithets flung at her (presumably by adults) in these comments are probably unfair. Somebody in denial would be likely to do exactly what she did, right through to going into the classes she was supposed to observe. I have no idea why -- or even if -- her father didn't confront her about the damage to her car. We don't know what she told him about the car. We do know that he did what most parents would do if their kids couldn't get to school on their own -- he made sure she got to school. I guess we're all entitled to our opinions -- that's what these comments seem to be about. (Even if we do not know all the facts.) But expressing our concerns through name calling and stone throwing and saying racist things does not speak well for any of us.
We know now! Looks like dad will be charged as well according to Patch. I disagree that most parents would have handled it this way. An overly permissive or covert parent would have handled it this way. Most involved parents would demand to know why their legally adult daughter all of the sudden needs a ride from 2 blocks away from the school when she already drove herself and why and how her car received damage.
Who died and made you the Blogger God. Telling people they're idiotic and to shut up? Park it where the sun don't shine, honey. Loose some weight and you might like yourself again, fatty.