By Anthony J. Machcinski
North Arlington man riding his bicycle to work in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 was struck and killed while trying to cross Rt. 7. Leonard Jeffrey, 57, North Arlington resident, was riding his bike from his home to his place of employment in South Kearny when he was hit trying to get to the Fishhouse Road exit of Rt. 7. It is unclear whether he tried to ride across the highway or was walking his bike across, but around 4:10 a.m., was knocked down by a man in a pickup truck, also attempting to get to work.
The truck driver immediately stopped, blocked traffic to protect Jeffrey and called police. The victim was transported to University Hospitial in Newark where he was pronounced dead at 8:50 a.m.
The case is still pending review by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, but according to Kearny Police, no criminal charges are expected to be filed against the driver at this point, as the driver was doing the speed limit or lower and no alcohol or drugs were involved.
Traffic on Rt. 7 eastbound was closed at the Fishhouse Road ramp from 4:15 a.m. to about 7:30 a.m. that morning
