Man Ticketed For Speeding With Pregnant Wife Settles Case: Report

HOWELL, NJ — A Lakewood man who was pulled over and ticketed for speeding while rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital in November has settled the case, agreeing to pay a fine, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported Abraham M. Steinfeld of Lakewood agreed to plead guilty to a lesser traffic offense and was fined $56 and $36 in court costs in the Nov. 14 incident.

The incident made national headlines and prompted a furious debate over whether Officer Anthony Marotta should have ticketed Steinfeld, who was driving his wife from Lakewood to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch to deliver the baby, Marotta pulled over the minivan on Squankum Road that night, and issued a summons for 78 mph in a 50 mph zone.

Much of Steinfeld's initial complaint focused on how long the stop lasted and his accusations that Marotta was rude. Howell police released bodycam footage of the incident showing the interaction between the two and defending Marotta.

"The interaction during the stop was polite and respectful," Chief Andrew J. Kudrick said at the time. "Both the operator of the vehicle, his pregnant wife and the officer were calm, respectful and courteous to one another. We certainly understand how stressful the moments leading up to birth can be, especially on a woman, and we commend them for their respectful demeanor under the circumstances. However, the officer acted appropriately and any suggestion that the officer's conduct was improper, unprofessional or inhumane simply contradicts the video evidence."

The national debate, however, focused on the ticket itself.

Steinfeld's attorney told the Asbury Park Press the man avoided points by taking a plea.

Read more here.

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