Man Killed 1, Hospitalized 5 With Stolen SUV In Passaic Co. Collision: Prosecutor

PATERSON, NJ — A Florida man was charged for his role in a series of collisions that killed one person and hospitalized five in Paterson, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. Harold Rasbin stole the SUV shortly before he drove it into pedestrians, a police car and a pole, authorities said Thursday.

Rasbin faces several charges, including aggravated manslaughter, for the collisions earlier this week, the prosecutor's office said. Law enforcement hasn't publicly identified anyone he allegedly struck.

Police responded to a reported crash at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday on Main and Market Streets in Paterson. Rasbin drove a Honda CRV into an occupied police vehicle pulled over on the side of the road, authorities said.

The Orlando resident then sped away and crashed the CRV into another vehicle, lost control and hit several pedestrians, the prosecutor's office said. Rasbin's SUV stopped when it struck a light pole around 227 Main St. and became disabled, authorities said.

Rasbin tried to flee by foot, but police caught him shortly after, the prosecutor's office said. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while officials took five others to Saint Joseph's University Medical Center for various injuries.

The impacted police vehicle was stationary on the side of the road while the officer conducted traffic enforcement unrelated to the earlier CRV theft, authorities said.

Rasbin, 31, was charged with the following (one count each unless otherwise noted):

• aggravated manslaughter, first-degree
• death by automobile, first-degree
• leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision, first-degree
• aggravated assault for causing bodily injury while operating a stolen vehicle (five counts), second-degree
• aggravated assault for recklessly causing serious bodily injury (five counts), second-degree)
• eluding an officer, second-degree
• unlawful taking of means of conveyance, third-degree
• theft of an automobile, third-degree
• leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision that resulted in bodily injury, third-degree
• endangering an injured victim (five counts), third-degree
• driving while unlicensed causing death, third-degree

Officials placed Rasbin in custody and filed a motion for pretrial detention. A detention hearing is set for Monday in Superior Court.