Hudson County Prosecutor Rolls Out New Fatal Crash Unit

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — In just 10 days since it opened, the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit has already investigated a pair of deadly crashes. It’s a tragic demonstration of why the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO) created the new unit in the first place, authorities say.

On Wednesday, the HCPO held a press conference to announce the formation of its new Fatal Collision Unit, which will be tasked with investigating deaths caused by vehicle collisions in the county.

More than two dozen officers have been undergoing the necessary training for almost a year, and will have access to modern collision technology software, a specialty-equipped vehicle, an aerial drone and up-to-date laser scanning and measuring equipment, the HCPO stated.

Several local law enforcement agencies will join the HCPO and “a dedicated group of assistant prosecutors” as partners in the unit:

• Hudson County Sheriff’s Office
• Bayonne Police Department
• Hoboken Police Department
• Jersey City Police Department
• Kearny Police Department
• North Bergen Police Department
• Secaucus Police Department
• Union City Police Department
• West New York Police Department
• Weehawken Police Department

According to HCPO Prosecutor Esther Suarez, she saw a need for creating the Fatal Collision Unit soon after beginning her tenure at the agency. Suarez said that she continued to push for implementation of the unit – with the aid and support of local police chiefs – because deaths by auto crashes continued to rise at a “concerning” rate.

“The official start date of this unit was January 15, and the fact that this unit has already had to investigate two fatal crash incidents makes the point of how invaluable it will be,” Suarez said.

Suarez said that speed, alcohol, drugs, distracted motorists and distracted pedestrians are all factors in many of these types of deaths. As such, education and awareness will be important tools moving forward as society begins to grapple with the continuing tragedies caused by car crashes, she emphasized.

“The grief and trauma felt by the families of those killed in vehicular collisions is no different than a death that occurs because of a violent crime,” Suarez said. “Death caused by a vehicle can happen to any motorist, pedestrian or bicyclist and these types of deaths impact a wide spectrum and variety of families. These Hudson County families deserve the best investigators and prosecutors that we can provide to ensure that justice is served when a loved one is lost.”

CRASH FATALITIES IN HUDSON COUNTY

According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office:

• In 2017, there were 26 deaths caused by vehicle collisions in Hudson County. In 2016 there were 24 and in 2015 there were 27.
• 18 of the 26 deaths in 2017 were pedestrians or pedal cyclists (70 percent). The state average is 24 percent.
• 15 of those 18 deaths were pedestrians, tied for the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the state.
• In 2017, the entire state of New Jersey had four pedestrian fatalities under the age of 16. Three of those four occurred in Hudson County.
• During the past 6 years, Hudson County has averaged approximately 2.6 fatalities per year involving motorcycle collisions. In 2017, there were 4 fatalities.

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Photo: Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office