Hit-and-Run Driver ID'd as Caldwell Man, Cops Say
69-year-old charged with leaving scene of an accident with injuries, assault by auto for New Year's incident.
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A 69-year-old Caldwell man has been charged in the hit-and-run accident on New Year's Eve that injured two teens, West Caldwell Police Chief Michael Bramhall announced Saturday morning.
James Bobowicz was charged with third-degree leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and fourth-degree assault by automobile, the report states. He was also charged with reckless driving, driving without headlights, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident.
Shortly after releasing a description of a dark blue Cadillac police believed was involved in the accident, a parent of one of the girls hit by the car received information about the possible driver, Bramhall said.
"The use of social media and the local press was also a tremendous resource to get the suspect vehicle information out to the public," Bramhall said.
The two girls were walking along Smull Avenue with five other teenagers when they were hit by a car that never stopped Monday night at about 8:45 p.m., police said.
One of the injured teens was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
Det./Sgt. Shaun O’Dowd, Det. Michael Orr and Det. Paul Mazzeo made the arrest of Bobowicz and impounded his 2005 Blue Cadillac STS, Bramhall said.
Cj
4:38 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Great work by everyone ,. This should be an example to everyone you never leave the scene of an accident. How could you leave two children lying in the street. Shame on you Mr. Bobowicz. Its probably to late to find out if you also could have been charged with a DWI however I hope these other charges all stick.
bill andresky
7:59 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
what a jerkski-----hiccup
bill andresky
7:59 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
hopefully you spend some time lying on the ground in the county
Kean09
8:21 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
What a terrible thing you did.. How could you just leave knowing you injured 2 kids and
traumatized the others . Like CJ said its to late to see if you were DUI. If you had stayed and made sure the kids were ok and you were DUI it would have been better for everyone including you.. Now with all the charges against you I hope you never drive again.. Did you ever stop to think what if that were your child or grandchild? SHAME ON YOU!!! And now everyone in town knows your name!!! GREAT JOB WCPD!!!!!!!!! And thank you to who ever turned him in we need more people like you!!!!!
fourpzants
9:14 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
So glad to hear the driver was caught - GREAT job by township police. VERY sad to see that an 'adult' left 2 kids lying in the street - really now, you should know better!!!
Michael
9:06 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The law has a loop hole that protects those that drink and drive, thats why they leave the scene. Leaving the scene should be just as harsh a penalty as having a DUI.