Bias Charges Filed Against Trio After Car Swerved At 2 Jews: PD

JACKSON, NJ — Additional charges have been filed in a Sept. 14 incident where a driver deliberately swerved at two Jewish men as they walked along a Jackson road, police in Jackson said Monday.

An adult male passenger and a teenage male passenger in the car both have been charged with bias intimidation and harassment, Jackson Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said.

The teen male driver, who previously was charged with harassment and bias intimidation, is facing an additional charge of simple assault for an attempt by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, Laskiewicz said.

The two teens' cases will be heard in family court, he said. Police did not release the teens' identities because they are juveniles. The adult male received a summons to appear in court, he said.

In the incident on Sept. 14, the two Jewish men were walking along Louisiana Parkway when the car swerved at them, forcing them to jump onto the curb, a resident who witnessed it told police. The three screamed obscenities and insults that referenced the Jewish religion, the witness told police.

The car then turned around and made a second pass, swerving at the men a second time and with the three yelling obscenities and insults, the resident told police. The driver was identified because the witness was able to provide the license plate number of the car, police said.

Jackson Police Detective John Rodriguez investigated the incident, Laskiewicz said.

An adult male passenger of the vehicle was charged with bias intimidation and harassment on a summons complaint.

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