South Brunswick Patrol Officer Nabs Man Wanted In Hit-And-Run

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A South Brunswick police officer — using a license plate reader now installed in all squad cars — helped apprehend a man who police say hit a pedestrian in a hit-n-run crash in Pennsylvania in January.

The alleged hit-and-run happened just before midnight on Jan. 12 in Bensalem, PA: A 37-year-old man was crossing Street Road in Bensalem when he was struck by a red pick-up truck that fled the scene. The victim was hospitalized with broken ribs, a punctured lung and a fractured spine.

At the time of the crash, video from the area showed a red Ford-150 pick-up truck hitting him; it had an extended cab and New Jersey plate L23RZD. A check of DMV records showed there was no record of that plate in the system.

At 10:28 a.m. January 28, a Sunday, South Brunswick patrol officer Matthew Hagood was on patrol on Rt. 1 when he observed a red pick-up truck drive by him. The patrol car’s Axon automatic license-plate reader automatically hit on the license plate L23RZD. Officer Hagood was alerted that the vehicle was wanted by Bensalem Police on felony charges.

He pulled the pick-up over and the driver was identified as Luke Gendusi, 18, of South Brunswick.

Bensalem Police continued their investigation and last week charged Gendusi with causing an accident involving death or personal injury, a third-degree felony, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence and numerous motor vehicle offenses under Pennsylvania law. He was released after posting bail.

South Brunswick Police charged Gendusi with motor vehicle offenses: Having a fictious license plate, unregistered vehicle and failure to have insurance.

South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka credited Officer Hagood and Bensalem Police: "It is solid police work by the officers in Bensalem Police Department and Officer Hagood that led to this arrest. It is the day-to-day police work that often goes unnoticed that solved this case. Excellent work by all."