KEARNY —
A Harrison man was transported to University Hospital, Newark, after being struck by a hit-run driver while bicycling on Schuyler Ave. last week, and the motorist allegedly at fault was transported to the Hudson County Jail on a multitude of charges, including DWI, Kearny police reported.
KPD Officer Michael Gontarczuk, responding to the accident report at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, arrived at the scene to find the 36-year-old victim lying in the northbound lane of Schuyler, about 50 feet from the Harrison Ave. intersection. A heavily damaged bicycle was on the ground next to him.
Police said the man, who was unresponsive, had suffered multiple injuries, including head injuries. Gontarczuk summoned medical aid and additional KPD units and located witnesses, who reported that the cyclist had been hit by a dark-colored van that fled north on Schuyler.
A BOLO was issued to both the Kearny and Harrison PDs, and KPD Det. Ray Lopez and Officers Sean Podolski and Jon Dowie soon spotted a dark van that had apparently just entered a fenced-in lot at Sanford Ave. and Duke St.
When they took a closer look, they found that the engine was still warm. They reportedly also found a male and a female hiding behind the driver’s seat.
The accident witnesses were brought to the lot and identified the 2006 Chevy as the van they had seen, police said.
The male in vehicle, who was in possession of its keys, appeared groggy, police said.
Gontarczuk interviewed him and conducted field sobriety tests, following which Fabian Lalvay, 25, of Newark, was arrested and taken to headquarters for an Alcotest.
Lalvay was later remanded to the county jail on the following charges: driving while intoxicated; DWI within 1,000 feet of a school; driving without a license; reckless driving; assault by auto; leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injuries; endangering an injured person; operating a commercial vehicle while having a blood-alcohol level higher than .04; and failure to produce vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Police said Lalvay’s female companion was not involved in the accident and was released without charges.
No information was available on the condition of the victim.
