A first-year university student was killed Tuesday night after she was struck by a motorcycle when crossing West Main Street, east of College Avenue, a statement from Newark Police read.
At 11:53 p.m., a UDPD officer “attempted to stop a motorcycle for the commission of a traffic offense,” according to the statement. Once the lights were activated on the officer’s vehicle, the motorcycle began to evade police and the officer turned their lights off, not engaging in pursuit.
Within seconds, the motorcycle struck the young woman crossing the street, causing the rider to fall off the motorcycle as it continued down a sidewalk, injuring four others. Three pedestrians refused treatment for their injuries and one was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
“Bystanders attempted lifesaving measures on the pedestrian in the crosswalk,” the statement made by Newark Police read. “However, they were unsuccessful.”
The victim has been identified as an 18-year-old female from New Jersey, whose identity is being withheld at this time. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorcycle rider was taken to an area hospital and was treated for their wounds. There are no charges being reported at this time as the crash is still under investigation by law enforcement.
“Incidents such as this are unimaginably tragic,” a statement made by president Dennis Assanis read. “We cannot express enough how sorry we are for the family, friends, and greater community as we are all so deeply shaken by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today.”