Carjacker Heads to Court; Funeral Arrangements Set

The man accused of carjacking a West Orange Public Works truck and then running down a Maplewood man before causing a multi-vehicle accident Friday, will appear in New Jersey Superior Court in Newark Wednesday.

Jamal Abdul Silvera, 21, of East Orange, is charged with felony murder, carjacking and multiple other violations, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. He's scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. in front of New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter Vasquez.

Meanwhile, the viewing and funeral service for the victim, James Callaway, 63, has been moved to St. Matthew AME Church on Oakwood in Orange. The viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Representatives of St. Mark AME—which previously was to hold the services—said that the church is too small to hold the anticipated turnout.

Silvera approached an unmarked black township public works truck around 9:50 a.m. Friday and forced the driver from the vehicle. He then assaulted the driver, according to Jessica Glicker, public information officer for West Orange. The DPW driver, who is an electrical inspector for West Orange, did not sustain serious injuries.

Silvera then drove the stolen truck into Orange and East Orange, where he continued to elude police. While speeding through East Orange, Silvera allegedly struck and killed James Callaway, 63, of Maplewood, outside St. Mark AME Church at the corner of Glenwood and Springdale avenues.

Callaway was rushed to East Orange General Hospital with grave injuries. He died at the hospital at 11:13 a.m.

Police said after striking Callaway, Silvera then drove west in the eastbound lane of Freeway Drive toward Evergreen Place where he caused a multi-vehicle accident. No injuries were reported in that incident, though it is not known how many cars and drivers were involved.

Silvera is in Essex County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Read more about Friday's incident .