Pedestrian Accident Victims Released from Hospital

The two female pedestrians hit by a car Saturday evening on the south side have been released from the hospital.

Griselda Merino, 19, and Leonor Merino, 23, both of Westfield, were crossing Rahway Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday when they were hit by a gray 2004 Lincoln RS making a left hand turn from West Broad Street to Rahway Avenue. The Lincoln was driven by Daniel Clarke, 18, of Scotch Plains, who is a delivery person for a local restaurant and was on his way to make a delivery.

Police Captain Clifford Autcher said both Merinos suffered lower body injuries and experienced some bleeding from being hit by the car. The exact nature of their injuries has not been disclosed. The Merinos were transported from the scene to University Hospital in Newark and were released by Monday morning.

Autcher said police investigators have not determined the exact cause of the accident. All signs are pointing to a low speed accident, given the lack of frontal damage to Clarke's Lincoln. The front of the vehicle had no visible damage, like a broken windshield or bent hood which would have signified a high speed collision with a person. Police investigators on the scene were observed studying dents near the license plate on the front bumper of the Lincoln. It is not known if any of these dents were from the accident.

Clarke was questioned at the scene, where he appeared visibily shaken from the accident. It is not known if any action will be taken against Clarke.