Fort Lee, NJ – UPDATE: Man Charged in Crash on NJ Tpke That Killed Jada Smith
Fort Lee, NJ (June 14, 2020) – A Florida man has been charged in a deadly hit-and-run accident that occurred in Fort Lee on Thursday, June 4th. The crash reportedly took place on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95). Jada Smith, 21, of Teaneck, New Jersey was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer while standing outside her vehicle.
Smith had reportedly been involved in another accident at around 10:30 p.m. that evening. She was standing outside her Honda CRV when she was hit by a tractor-trailer that then fled the scene of the accident. Authorities later arrested Joel Lasanta, 37, of Kissimmee, Florida on Saturday, June 6th, at the Clara Barton Service Area south of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Lasanta is currently in custody. An ongoing investigation into the crash is underway.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jada Smith at this time.
New Jersey Deadly Pedestrian Crashes
New Jersey has the 15th highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country. Each year, an estimated 141 pedestrians are killed in collisions in the state. Another 270 pedestrians suffer serious injuries.
When you lose someone who was close to you, your life will change in endless ways. It’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by new challenges with the loss of a family member. When the loss is the result of the negligence, neglect, or wrongful act of another, it can make the situation feel unbearable.
After losing a loved one in a deadly car crash, you need a New Jersey wrongful death lawyer who is prepared to assist you with every aspect of your case or claim. Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC has over 50 years of experience helping the people of New Jersey after losing a loved one in a fatal car accident. Contact our offices today at (201) 997- 0030 to see how we can help your case.
Note: Secondary sources were used to create this piece and, because of this, the information included has not been independently verified. If you notice a factual issue with our posting, please bring it to our attention and we will correct or remove it as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: Our intent in these posts is to bring attention to the dangers members in our community face and to encourage caution. Accidents do happen and we hope these posts help those affected. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal or medical advice, and we urge you to contact a trained legal professional for more information regarding your specific situation.