Wayne Man's Texting While Driving Caused Serious Motor Vehicle Crash: Prosecutor

WAYNE, N.J. — A township man was charged with aggravated assault by auto after he reportedly crashed into a motorcycle in Oakland while he was texting and driving, authorities said.

Jared D. Kovar, 27, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault by auto and possession of heroin, said Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal.

Kovar crashed the 2009 Honda Accord he was driving into a motorcycle at West Oakland Avenue in Oakland at about 6:50 p.m. Sunday, Grewal said. Kovar's Accord crossed the double yellow line and hit the motorcycle head-on, the prosecutor said.

Kovar was texting when the crash occurred, Grewal said.

Oakland police found the motorcycle driver, Douglas Murken, of Wanaque, lying in the roadway with "severe extremity injuries," the prosecutor said.

Murken, 58, was airlifted to Hackensack University Medical Center's Emergency Department.

Authorities found a small amount of heroin in Kovar's car, authorities said. A blood sample was taken from Kovar; results are pending from the New Jersey State Police Lab.

Murken remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Kovar is due to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court, Grewal said.

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Jared D. Kovar, 27 — Bergen County Prosecutor's Office