Man Hospitalized After Hit-and-Run Accident and Car Chase

A hit-and-run accident occurred Thursday night in Bloomfield, followed by a car chase when an eyewitness pursued the alleged assailant.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., a pedestrian was struck by a car on Bloomfield Avenue at Columbus Street, according to police. The witness said the car that struck the man was a Cadillac Escalade, which fled from the scene.

The witness followed the car westbound on Bloomfield Avenue and continued southbound on Ampere Parkway, then westbound on Royalton Place, driving against the one-way flow of traffic. As the car proceeded southbound on Grove Street in East Orange, the witness, still in pursuit, lost track of the vehicle.
 
The Bloomfield Police Department said the victim’s name is not being released at this time. He is a 56-year-old Newark resident.
 
Police officials and Bloomfield emergency personnel arrived at the scene, along with Det. Sgt. Spatola and Investigator Vincent Nardone of the Essex County Prosecutor’s office.
 
The victim was treated at the scene by police and the Bloomfield Volunteer Emergency Squad. Paramedics arrived at the scene for additional life support. The victim was stabilized and transported to University Medical Center in Newark. His condition is unknown at this time.
 
Physical evidence was also recovered at the scene. The Bloomfield Police Department said the incident is an open investigation and anyone with further information should contact Sgt. Det. Dunn or Det. Vitello at 973-680-4084.