By: Richard L. Smith
Newark City officials are asking for the community’s assistance in identifying a suspect and locating a vehicle involved in a disturbing hit-and-run that left one person injured in the early hours of Friday, April 4. 
According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr., the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Grove Street, between Grain Street and Central Avenue.
A male suspect, described as Black, was driving a silver Ford Taurus bearing New Jersey license plate L70RGX when he deliberately drove the vehicle onto the curb, striking a male pedestrian.
Police said the driver then reversed the vehicle and hit the victim a second time before fleeing the scene. Surveillance cameras later captured the same vehicle traveling eastbound along West Market Street.
An off-duty police officer who witnessed the incident acted quickly, providing aid until emergency responders arrived.
The victim was subsequently transported to University Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that could lead to the identification of the suspect or the location of the vehicle to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS.
All tips are kept confidential.