By: Yuritza Arroyo
Authorities in Clifton announced that on Tuesday afternoon, at approximately 4:45 PM, officers responded to 301 River Road (Sunoco station) regarding an injured female bleeding from the head.
According to officials, officers found a 26-year-old female with numerous bodily injuries.
Police determined that the victim, who is an employee at the incident location, was warming up her vehicle (a 2014 Audi) in anticipation of the end of her shift.
At that time, a vehicle pulled into the lot, and a male party with a black-colored ski mask exited.
According to Clifton Police, the suspect then crouched down and made his way over to the victim's vehicle, entering the driver's seat.
Police say the suspect then attempted to drive off, at which time the victim jumped on the hood of her vehicle.
The suspect, in an effort to throw the victim off of the car, accelerated at a high rate of speed.
This caused the victim to lose her grasp and eventually get thrown from the hood and land on the roadway, where she remained until help arrived.
According to authorities, the original suspect’s vehicle (unknown make and model), along with the victim's car, fled on River Road toward Oak Street, almost striking an NJ Transit bus in the process.
Authorities say the victim was tended to by arriving patrol officers and fire department personnel. She was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital for further medical attention.
Later in the evening, the victim's vehicle was recovered (unoccupied) in the City of Newark.
The incident is currently under investigation by Clifton detectives.
Her condition is severe but not life-threatening.