Video Shows Crash Involving Jersey City Councilwoman Who Was Cited For Leaving Scene

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A week after Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise was cited for leaving the scene of a crash in which her car hit a bicyclist, video of the incident — which shows the cyclist flipping over her car and hobbling away — has sparked new criticism and a petition.

The crash between the car and bicyclist can be seen at 1:00 in this video.

Police Report

According to the police report, last Tuesday morning at 7:58 a.m., a man "was riding his bicycle south bound on MLK Drive going through the green light on Forrest St. when he was struck by a vehicle going east that he described as a black SUV. Mr. [redacted] had a complaint of pain to his left ankle and a laceration to his right leg. Mr. [redacted] stated he did not observe who was operating the vehicle."

After the man was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, the officers watched surveillance cameras in the area, "and the vehicle came back to a black Nissan Rogue registered to a Amy DeGise," the report says.

DeGise was issued two summonses for failure to report an accident and leaving the scene of an accident, the report says.

DeGise is a councilwoman-at-large and the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise. A political "rising star" in the county, according to NJ.com, she was widely considered a possible mayoral candidate in 2025 if Mayor Steven Fulop declines to seek re-election.

The video shows a cyclist going through a red light, after which he's struck by a vehicle. He and his bike flip over the car. He then limps to the sidewalk. The vehicle continues along.

Mayor Fulop finally responded to the incident publicly on Monday, saying in an interview with NJ Spotlight News, "She shouldn’t have left the scene. That was a tremendous mistake. I’m happy that she took some responsibility by going to the police proactively afterwards."

Petition Started Tuesday Night

Tuesday night, a resident started a petition saying, "Councilmember DeGise should have resigned as soon as this news came out. She must resign now and the mayor and council members must call publicly for her resignation."

The petition adds, "DeGise has the hefty task of representing the full city and the best interests of all its residents. By striking and abandoning one of those residents, in a time of crisis, she has shown she cannot be trusted to put the well-being of residents first. To hit a constituent and leave them speaks to a deeply troubling level of self-preservation instinct, and one that has no place in public service."

Ward E Councilman James Solomon released a statement Wednesday morning after viewing the video, saying, "Leaving the scene of a crash is illegal. Doing so demonstrated a callous disregard for the life and health of the victim she hit. Public servants must be held to a higher standard. While Councilmember DeGise is entitled to forgiveness and her day in court, both should come as a private citizen. She should resign. If she fails to do so, she should be recalled."

DeGise has declined to comment extensively, but said in NJ.com, "I acknowledge this unfortunate event yesterday and I’m thankful that no one was seriously hurt."

A group called Safe Streets JC released a statement last week saying, "No one is above the law. Jersey City lost two members in the community last November in hit and runs."

UPDATE: A second councilman has called for DeGise to resign. Read more here.

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