An out-of-town motorist struck five parked cars, including one owned by a Harrison lawmaker, while driving through Harrison on Sunday, June 16, police reported.
And, police said, a sixth vehicle, whose driver was trying to get out of the way, was hit by one the struck parked cars sent spinning out across the street.
As of last week, no charges had been filed against the errant driver but police said the accident is still under investigation.
Police said the episode began shortly after 3:30 p.m. when Manuel Calle Calle, 30, of Newark, was driving a 1999 Dodge Durango west on Harrison Ave. when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a 2011 Toyota registered to a Kearny resident and a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis owned by Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett.
The driver told police his vehicle experienced a mechanical failure, causing it to veer off.
After that initial crash, police said, the driver slammed on his brake, trying to stop, but, nonetheless, continued forward into the eastbound lane and hit a 2003 Ford Explorer, a 2008 Maserati, a 2010 Mitsubishi Galant, and a 2010 Honda CRV, all registered to Harrison residents.
Police said the Honda was propelled across Harrison Ave. about 30 feet into the left front side of a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor traveling west on Harrison Ave. whose driver, a Harrison woman, seeing the accident, had pulled over to the right side of the avenue to avoid being hit.
– Ron Leir
