‘Zack Alert’ Bill Would Honor Hoboken Hit-And-Run Victim, Cousin Of NBA Draft Pick

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A New Jersey state assemblywoman has introduced a bill that would establish a statewide alert system in cases of hit-and-run incidents where someone has been seriously injured or killed.

The bill - A4184 - was inspired by the efforts of the family of 21-year-old Zackhary Simmons, who was tragically killed due to a hit-and-run collision in Hoboken in late June.

• See related article: NBA No. 1 Pick Ben Simmons' Cousin From Ramsey Killed In Hit-And-Run In Hoboken

The bill’s sponsor NJ State Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (D-33), a Hoboken High School alum, stated that the aim of the proposed legislation is to aid law enforcement in their pursuit of a fleeing hit-and-run driver by publishing information similar to the way AMBER and Silver Alerts work.

Messages would be disseminated via road signs, state employee and law enforcement cell phones and the media, Chaparro said.

“I hope this bill reminds drivers thinking of fleeing an accident that the whole state will be looking for you, and you will be caught,” Chaparro said. “I want to thank the Simmons family for working so hard on this bill and sharing their time and inspiring me to craft this legislation to honor Zack and encourage other drivers to stop and help an injured person instead of cowardly fleeing a scene.”

• See related article: Hoboken Police Arrest NY Man For Hit-And-Run That Killed Ben Simmons' Cousin

“As someone who lost a family member to a hit-and-run in Hoboken, I am thankful for the Simmons family’s courage and efforts to help make our streets safer and bring hit-and-run drivers to justice,” Zimmer stated.

Chaparro’s office is reportedly in talks with GPS apps with the hopes they will issue “Zack Alerts” to their users.

‘AN OLD SOUL’

Simmons’ father Rickey and his fiancée – Jennifer Jordan – released the following statement about the 21-year-old:

“If you met Zackhary Simmons, you'd say he was an old soul. He lived fully and was loved greatly. He was a funny one for sure, always cracking a joke or making fun, creating laughter all around. You'd almost always find him wearing wrinkled t-shirts with those funny sayings, or band swag like the one with Jerry Garcia on the pocket the day he met his baby brother for the first time. One of Zack's sisters remembers that time well. She describes it as the time it brought their relationship to a new level of understanding and built a stronger bond. This was the person Zack was, connected to life and his loved ones, living in the present moment.

“Those that knew Zack knew he would give you his last - whether it was the last biscuit, the last hot wing, or his last dollar, always making sure you were taken care of before himself. Family and friends say he was just “that guy”- the one you could call and would always be there for you. Ask anyone, he truly was a real sweetheart. He wouldn't hurt a soul, and he always wanted to please and not be confrontational. That's not to say that he didn't stand strong in his beliefs and would have made a great debater. His character was solid and he was a deep thinker open to learn and grow.

“In his short 21 years on earth, Zackhary touched and impacted the lives of many for a lifetime. When you met him you were instantly drawn to him, feeling like you knew him forever and wanting to know more. One of his best friends said Zack literally had two goals in life: to take care of his brother who has autism, and to make his parents proud. He did just that and more as an honorable, respectable child who valued his family and nurtured those relationships. Those that knew him loved his personality, his spirit, and the way he lived, a strong leader with many followers.

“Zackhary left this earth after he was tragically killed in a hit and run accident while crossing the street at a crosswalk in Hoboken. No one can understand why this happened. His family and friends are pained with missing him every day. One thing we know for sure is Zack is in the greatest place with an eternity of joy, love, peace and all things good, because that's who Zack was, and his spirit lives forever.

“Quotes Zack found and wrote in his notebook show us who he was and what he believed. He truly was a special one, gone too soon, but he left a legacy for all of us to embrace.

“Please support Zackhary's Law, which will implement a Zack Alert for hit and run accidents. It will save lives in hopes of decreasing this crime, and bring justice for those that choose to leave the scene.”

Photo: Ben Simmons, Twitter

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