Crime & Safety

Details Emerge on Teen Hit by Car on Thursday

Teen had swerved in front of van as accident occurred.

The 13-year old Westfield resident who was hit by a van on his way home from school Thursday had abruptly turned his bike in front of the van before the accident occurred.

Police Captain Clifford Auchter, citing police reports from the scene, said the teen and the driver, who was driving a commercial van, were both headed south on Rahway Avenue shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday. The teen was traveling at the far right side of the road, near the intersection with Mohawk Way. The teen then made what has been characterized as an "abrupt left turn" which placed him in front of the van, which then struck him.

The teen suffered abraisons to his knees, elbows and hands and was transported to Overlook Hospital in Summit. The injuries have not been described as serious and it is not known if the teen was required to spend the night in the hospital. It has not been confirmed where the teen is a student.

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The driver of the van has not been cited in the accident at the present time. It is not known if the driver was speeding on the 25 MPH roadway.

The accident follows a series of pedestrian accidents in the community, including one shortly over a year ago, where an adult male was killed after being hit by a car in the downtown. A Lord & Taylor employee was seriously injured last August after being hit by a car on North Avenue. The driver of that vehicle, Leslie Boughner of Westfield, is currently facing charges for drunk driving.

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The accident also comes in the midst of a debate in town government over the fate of how many crossing guard posts will remain in Westfield. As part of discussions over cuts to the town budget, the Town Council's finance and public safety committees have been studying the 57 crossing guard posts in town, the highest of any town in Union County.


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