FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: July 2, 2018
SUSPECTED DRIVER IN HOT DOG VENDOR CRASH ARRESTED
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On Sunday, July 1, 2018, shortly after 8:00 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department arrested David Bowens, age 29, of Jersey City without incident near the intersection of Ocean and Van Nostrand avenues in Jersey City on an outstanding warrant. On June 20, 2018, Bowens fled the scene after striking a food vendor with the BMW automobile he was driving on East Linden Avenue in Jersey City.
Bowens has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of N.J.S. 2C:12-1.1, a third-degree crime; Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S. 2C:12-1c(1), a fourth-degree crime; Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Driving with a Suspended License in violation of N.J.S. 2C:40-22, a fourth-degree crime; Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-3, a fourth-degree crime; False Reporting to Law Enforcement in violation of N.J.S. 2C:28-4, a fourth-degree crime; and Obstruction in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-1, a fourth-degree crime.
Bowens made his first appearance on these charges in Criminal Justice Reform Court in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City today at 1:30 p.m.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit for the investigation and the Jersey City Police Department for the arrest and their assistance in the investigation.
On June 20, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department received a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at the intersection of East Linden Avenue and Route 185 in Jersey City.
Upon arrival at that intersection, responding Police Officers found a 54-year-old pedestrian with serious injuries to his lower extremities. The victim, a Bayonne resident, was found at the scene near debris from a hot dog vending cart located adjacent to the roadway. A crashed and abandoned BMW was found a short distance away.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).