Man High On PCP, Pot Hit Pedestrians In Jersey City, Police Say

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A North Bergen man who police say was driving high on PCP and THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) is charged with striking two pedestrians in a crosswalk on Nov. 23, 2019 in the Jersey City Heights.

Lawrence Smith, 37, of North Bergen, was arrested on Monday of this week, and charged with two counts of assault by auto while under the influence of narcotics. He was also charged with driving without a valid driver’s license causing serious bodily injury, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor.

The incident happened in the Jersey City Heights on November 23, 2019, at approximately 11:30 p.m.: Police were called to the intersection of Summit Avenue and Sherman Place on a report of two pedestrians being struck by a vehicle in the area.

Police found a mother, age 50, and her son, 22, had been hit. Smith remained at the scene of the collision.

He was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, traveling south on Summit Avenue, when he hit the two pedestrians in the marked crosswalk, said the county prosecutor.

The mother was unresponsive at the scene and was transported by EMS to Jersey City Medical Center for serious bodily injuries. Her son suffered minor injuries and was also transported to JCMC.