Hit-and-Run That Injured Point Pleasant Girl Spurs Legislation

Senator Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward H. “Ned” Thomson have announced they are drafting legislation that would impose stricter consequences for leaving the scene of an accident that causes serious injuries.

The lawmakers made the announcement after a 14-year-old Point Pleasant Boro girl was critically injured by a hit-and-run driver who reportedly fled the scene and was arrested.

“We were heartbroken to hear about this accident and the devastating injuries suffered by this young woman,” said Singer. “This horrific incident and the actions by the driver underscore the need to impose strict penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident in which someone is seriously injured.”

“Drivers who leave the scene of a serious accident should not escape harsh penalties for their actions,” said Kean. “A young girl was critically injured and the person responsible for causing these serious injuries should pay a steep price for their callous disregard for their victim.”

The lawmakers said they will urge their colleagues to take up bills to address the issue when the Legislature meets again in September.

“It’s hard to comprehend the driver’s decision to run and hide while leaving this seriously injured young woman lying in the road,” said Thomson. “In light of this devastating hit-and-run accident that nearly took this girl’s life, we are calling on the Senate and Assembly to act quickly to impose stronger penalties on drivers who choose to flee instead of remaining on the scene of an accident.”

The 14-year-old Point Pleasant girl continues to battle after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver earlier this month, and then carried on the hood of the car, according to family and friends.

Emma Mae, whose last name Patch is withholding out of respect for the family, was moved to another undisclosed hospital that specializes in brain traumas, according to family and friends.

"They are able to give her the care she needs at this time," her friend, Kristen Cutrona, who has been speaking for the family, posted on Emma's GoFundMe page. "She is having severe migraines due to having a concussion as well as the bleed on the brain and fractured skull."

"But she is the strongest kid I know and one hell of a fighter," Cutrona posted on the page.

As she undergoes additional care, her fundraising goal has been raised to $50,000 on the GoFundMe page. More than $28,000 has been raised for Emma's recovery.

"She has a long recovery ahead of her but she’s still alive and I am forever grateful for all the prayers for keeping her that way," Cutrona posted. "Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes and prayers. Means so much to us."

A 26-year-old woman was arrested and charged with hitting Emma, a popular, accomplished cheerleader who will be a freshman at Point Pleasant Boro High School in September.

Brittany Keifer, 26, of Point Pleasant was arrested in connection with the investigation of the Aug. 9 hit-and-run crash. Keifer was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto, third-degree leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury and other offenses.

Keifer turned herself in at police headquarters, accompanied by an attorney, after she drove home on Aug. 9 and covered her car with a tarp, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. Keifer was released on a complaint summons, police said.

The crash happened at 10:31 p.m., when officers responded in the area of Route 88 and Sunset Avenue to a report of a bicyclist struck. Upon arrival, the 14-year-old girl had several lacerations and head trauma, police said.

The girl was initially transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in critical condition by Point Pleasant First Aid for further treatment.

Emma was crossing the road diagonally across Route 88 mid-block when she was struck by the vehicle, which was traveling east on Route 88 at the time of the crash, police said.

The driver continued moving after the impact, carrying the girl on the vehicle hood for a distance before she was thrown from of the vehicle, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

The suspect’s vehicle fled the scene after the crash, heading east on Route 88. The suspect's vehicle was described as a dark-colored sedan, police said. The vehicle may have both front-end damage and windshield damage.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch