FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Monday, September 25, 2023

MAN CHARGED IN KEARNY COLLISION THAT INJURED EIGHT INDIVIDUALS

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Monday, September 25, 2023, members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit arrested an Irvington man in connection with a 2022 collision in Kearny that injured eight individuals.

Michael Johnson, 36, is charged three counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 12-1b(1), crimes of the second degree; three counts of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2), crimes of the third degree; and five counts of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2), crimes of the fourth degree. He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance. Johnson is employed as an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer and was not on duty at the time of the collision.

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, shortly after 11:20 p.m., the Kearny Police Department was notified of a multi-vehicle collision in the area of Harrison Avenue and the Route 280 entrance ramp. Upon arrival, officers located three damaged vehicles – a Jeep Cherokee operated by Johnson, a Chevy Traverse, and a Nissan Rogue – in the westbound lane of traffic. Eight individuals were injured in the collision. The investigation determined Johnson was under the influence, traveling east, at the time of the crash.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Kearny Police Department with the investigation and arrest. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)