Man Drove SUV Into Crowd, Injuring 2 Outside Nightclub: Police

ELIZABETH, NJ — A man was arrested and charged for driving an SUV onto a sidewalk and into a crowd of pedestrians several times outside of an Elizabeth night club causing one woman to be seriously injured before fleeing the scene on Saturday, authorities report.

Some sort of ruckus broke out outside of the bar at New Point Road and 7th Street that involved an argument with a boyfriend of one of the victim’s relatives on March 9 at about 3:39 a.m., according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Alaina Caliendo, who is prosecuting the case.

Following the argument, Robenson Louis, 32, of Orange got into his Range Rover SUV, jumped over a curb onto the sidewalk, and repeatedly struck the victim with the vehicle before driving away, Caliendo said.

As a result two victims, one was a 24-year-old Union man who was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center with conditions unknown, and a 29-year-old woman from Orange, who was taken to University Hospital with limb-threatening injuries, Elizabeth Public Information Officer Kelly Martins said.

Louis was arrested moments later nearby around 50 7th Street, Martins said.

Louis is charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree assault by auto while driving while intoxicated, third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, and two related weapons charges, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan said.

He was lodged in Union County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled to take place Thursday, March 14. He could face five to 10 years in state prison on the second-degree criminal charges.

Anyone with information should call Elizabeth Police Detective Thomas Koczur at 908-558-2048.

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