A former Roselle Park police chief was killed in a Kenilworth pedestrian accident on December 3. Ben Malaspina, 84, was walking on South Michigan Avenue near Newark Avenue when a white Ford Econoline van struck him. According to authorities, Malaspina was transported to University Hospital in Newark after the collision where he later died from his injuries.
Police released a statement that said the driver of the van is cooperating with authorities and the investigation is ongoing. The name of the driver has not been released and no further details of the accident were available. Malaspina joined the police department in 1954 and was chief from 1980 until he retired in 1990. Roselle Park Mayor Joseph Accardi remembered Malaspina as “a great person who was dedicated to the community” and called the accident “an unspeakable tragedy.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrians were one of the few groups of road users to experience an increase in fatalities in 2011. There were 4,432 pedestrian fatalities due to accidents in the U.S. in 2011, compared to 4,280 in 2010. When motor vehicle drivers are negligent or reckless and fail to yield to pedestrians on the road, fatal accidents can occur. When a loved one is killed in a car accident, surviving family members can be left with heavy financial burdens as well as intense grief. Dealing with the legalities of an accident after the death of a loved one can be incredibly difficult, but an experienced injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve while you heal from an unfortunate tragedy.
Find a New Jersey Injury Attorney
Our Middlesex County personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation if a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you do not have to fight the battle alone. Contact our office or connect with us on Facebook to schedule a consultation. We are ready to fight for you.
Spevack’s Did You Know: According to the NHTSA, 16 percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2009 were among people 65 and older.
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