2 NJ children struck, injured in hit-and-run, police say

NEW BRUNSWICK — Charges are pending against a 30-year-old driver who struck two two children as they crossed the street with their mother Monday evening, then fled the scene.

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The driver, identified as Brian Michael Smith of North Brunswick, was driving a Toyota Camry at 6:38 p.m. as a mother and her three children were crossing Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick at the intersection of Wellington Place and Lawrence Street, police said.

Police said a 14-month old girl in a stroller and an 8-year-old girl were both struck by the vehicle as they walked alongside their mother. The 14-month old suffered abrasions while the 8-year-old sustained a broken toe after being hit by the vehicle. Neither of the injuries were considered life-threatening and both children were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Smith was located about an hour later by police and police say charges against the driver are still pending.

The incident Monday was not the first time pedestrians have been struck by a vehicle on that roadway. In August 2014, New Brunswick fire director Robert Rawls, pleaded guilty to hitting and seriously injuring three children in a crosswalk at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Delevan Street.

Authorities say Rawls was on duty and in a city-owned SUV when he struck two 14-year-old girls and a 6-year-old boy. The children sustained broken bones.

In 2014, MyCentralJersey.com reported that Livingston Avenue is among the most dangerous roads in Middlesex County, according to traffic studies. Dozens of crashes, many involving pedestrians, occur on the street each year, the article states, adding that one of the issues is that drivers often exceed the 25 mph speed limit.

This investigation into Monday's incident is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Sean Cahill at 732-745-5005.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.