An Essex County Sheriff’s officer has been charged in a crash in Kearny last year that resulted in eight people being injured, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Michael Johnson, 36, of Irvington, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of third-degree assault by auto, and five counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, Suarez said in a statement.
He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
Johnson is employed as an Essex County Sheriff’s officer and was not on duty at the time of the collision.
On Saturday, June 4th, 2022, shortly after 11:20 p.m., the Kearny Police Department was notified of a multi-vehicle collision in the area of Harrison Avenue and the Route 280 entrance ramp.
Upon arrival, officers located three damaged vehicles – a Jeep Cherokee operated by Johnson, a Chevy Traverse, and a Nissan Rogue – in the westbound lane of traffic.
Eight individuals were injured in the collision. The investigation determined Johnson was under the influence, traveling east, at the time of the crash.
Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Kearny Police Department with the investigation and arrest.
