By: Richard L. Smith
A senior woman suffered severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle driven by a suspended Union County driver in Belleville today.
Belleville Police officials told RLS Media that at approximately 3:14 PM, Belleville police were notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Union Avenue and Mill Street.
The victim, a 78-year-old woman whose name is being withheld pending family notification, sustained head injuries and was transported to University Hospital in Newark in critical condition.
The driver, Mr. Luis Alberto Talavera Lira from Elizabeth, NJ was charged with causing injury while driving with a suspended license, under statute 2C:40-22B.
Preliminary investigation by the Belleville Police Department Traffic Bureau indicated that the driver was traveling south on Union Avenue in a 2014 Ford E35 box truck.
The victim was in the crosswalk at Union Avenue and Mill Street attempting to cross the street when she was struck.
Mr. Talavera Lira remained at the scene, where it was determined that he was unlicensed. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Belleville Police at 973-450-3333.
The incident stresses the ongoing issue of unlicensed drivers on the road and the severe consequences that can result from such violations.