By: Richard L. Smith
Vincent Jean, 57, has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison after being found guilty of attempted murder and other charges stemming from a road rage incident in 2022.
Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Police Chief Giacomo Sacca announced the sentencing today.
The incident occurred on the morning of April 12, 2022, when Elizabeth police were called to Salem Avenue and Aberdeen Road.
They found a 23-year-old woman with severe injuries on the front lawn of a home.
She was quickly taken to University Hospital in critical condition.
According to Assistant Prosecutors Robert Vanderstreet and Aran McNerney, witnesses reported that Jean and the victim were involved in a minor car accident just prior to the attack.
As the victim began to take photos of Jean’s car to document the incident, Jean attempted to flee. In his escape, he drove his car directly toward the victim, who ran onto the lawn to avoid being hit.
Undeterred, Jean pursued her onto the lawn and struck her multiple times with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Jean was later found by police sitting in his damaged vehicle and was arrested.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Isenhour handed down the sentence, which requires Jean to serve at least 19.5 years before he is eligible for parole.
Prosecutor Daniel stated, “I hope this sentence can provide some assurance to the victim and her family, as well as to the community, that we will not tolerate these egregious offenses and will expend all of our efforts to bring offenders to justice.”
This case highlights the severe consequences of road rage and the justice system's commitment to prosecuting such dangerous behavior.