Bernardsville Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2 Men

BOUND BROOK, NJ — A Bernardsville man was indicted by a Somerset County Grand Jury on Wednesday with attempted murder after police say he intentionally drove his car into two men at the Bound Brook train station parking lot in 2019.

William D. Hoke, Jr., 47, of Garibaldi Street, Bernardsville was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, and two counts of third-degree endangering an injured victim, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

The hit-and-run crash was reported in the Bound Brook train station parking lot located along East Main Street on Dec. 20, 2019 at around 1:38 a.m.

Police found two men identified only as, I.G., age 31, of Barbara Street in Bloomfield, and P.P., age 36, of Hayward Street in Bound Brook, with multiple injuries, said Robertson.

P.P. was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Somerset for evaluation and treatment. I.G. refused medical treatment at the scene.

Area surveillance camera videos captured a black 2020 Dodge Durango registered to Hoke Jr. driving up and down East Main Street before entering Lot 3 and intentionally striking the two men, said Robertson.

The force of the impact propelled the men more than 10 feet and into a parked car before the Dodge sped away north on John Street, said Robertson.

A police investigation found that Hoke and the two men had been at a local bar/restaurant before the crash.

Hoke was taken into custody that same morning and placed into Somerset County Jail. The State filed a motion asking to detain Hoke Jr. pending trial, but the motion was denied on Jan. 3, 2020 and he was later released.

Anyone with information relating to this event is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or the Bound Brook Police Department at 732-356-0800 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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