Newark Driver May Have Been DUI When He Struck, Killed Pedestrian: Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities are investigating a motor vehicle collision that claimed the life of a Newark pedestrian last week.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, a male driving a Honda struck and killed Damaris Mercado, 41, of Newark, in the 100 Broadway block around 2 a.m. on Aug. 27. Prosecutors said that Mercado died from her injuries and the driver of the Honda was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, prosecutors announced that the driver, Ike Odumuko, 29, of Newark, was arrested and charged with first degree vehicular homicide and second degree reckless manslaughter in connection with the incident.

Prosecutors allege that Odumuko struck Mercado's Chevy Suburban and pinned her beneath the undercarriage of her car.

A blood test indicated that Odumuko was allegedly driving under the influence prior to the incident, prosecutors said.