Hit-And-Run In Chester Sends Driver To The Hospital

CHESTER, NJ — A Long Valley man has been issues traffic summonses after a hit-and-run accident in Chester that sent another driver to the hospital, Chester Police said on Friday.

Todd Smith, age 46, of Long Valley, was issued the summonses as the result of a two week investigation after police say he fled the scene of a July 21 accident he caused.

Smith is accused of rear ending another car waiting at a traffic light outside of Chester Springs and Streets of Chester shopping malls in Chester Borough. The other car, driven by Zuleyha Maqsudi, 45, of Wharton, was pushed into the back of the car in front of it, driven by Peter Betaneli, 37, of Lawrenceville. Police say Smith fled the scene after the crash.

Maqsudi was taken to Morristown Medical Center by ambulance for injuries sustained in the crash. Betaneli and his two minor passengers were treated at the scene, police said.

Using witness statements and video footage from nearby businesses security cameras, officers were able to locate Smith's car, a 2016 Porche Panamera.

Smith was issued traffic summons for leaving the scene of an accident
involving personal injury, failure to report accident, careless driving, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle and driving with an obstructed/fractured windshield. He has an upcoming court date in Chester Borough Municipal Court.

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