Man Strikes Pedestrian With Car After Verbal Dispute In Lawrence: PD

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A Burlington man was charged with attempted murder and other offenses after he struck a pedestrian with his car following an altercation in Lawrenceville, Police Chief Chris Longo said.

Petar Armbruster III, 54 of Burlington, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with attempted murder (1st degree), aggravated assault (2nd degree), attempted aggravated assault (2nd degree), leaving the scene of motor vehicle crash with serious injuries (3rd degree), endangering injured victim (3rd degree) and assault by auto (4th degree).

On July 8, around 5:08 p.m., Lawrence Police responded to the parking lot of Halo Farm (970 Spruce St, Lawrenceville, NJ) for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Officers found the pedestrian in the parking lot of Halo Farm with multiple injuries. The injured person was taken to Capital Health System - Regional Medical Center, by Lawrence Township EMS and remains in serious condition, Longo said.

According to investigation, before the crash, Armbruster III and the victim were involved in a verbal dispute in the area of the 7-11 Store. Armbruster III followed the victim from the 7-11 Store to the Halo Farm/Trenton Farmers Market parking lot, Longo said.

Armbruster III sat in his car and waited for the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. As they entered the parking lot of Halo Farm, Armbruster III drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed striking the victim and nearly missing the girlfriend. Armbruster III fled the scene after striking the pedestrian, Longo said.

Armbruster III was arrested by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday in Trenton.

He is being lodged at the Mercer County Correction Center awaiting a Detention Hearing. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and Trenton Police Department assisted with the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Lawrence Township Police Detective Paulina Way at 609-844-7133 / pway@lawrencetwp.com or Detective Sean Kerins at 609-844-7121 / skerins@lawrencetwp.com.

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