NJ driver had heroin, was texting when he hit motorcyclist, cops say

OAKLAND - A 27-year-old Wayne man who police say was allegedly texting and driving, was arrested for heroin possession and assault by auto following a motor vehicle collision that left a 58-year-old motorcyclist in critical condition.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the crash happened at about 6:50 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities say Oakland police were dispatched to West Oakland Avenue for a report of a car striking a motorcycle. When police arrived, they found that the motorcyclist, identified as Douglas Murken, of Wanaque, was lying in the roadway with "severe extremity injuries," authorities said. The victim was airlifted to Hackensack University Medical Center’s Emergency Department and remains hospitalized.

During the course of an investigation, police determined that Jared Kovar had been driving a 2009 Honda Accord southbound on West Oakland Avenue while texting. Authorities say his car swerved, crossing the double-yellow line and hit Murken's motorcycle head-on. In addition, the Prosecutor's Office said that when Kovar’s vehicle was searched, a small amount of heroin was discovered. Police are still awaiting the results of a toxicology test performed on the driver.

Kovar was charged with fourth-degree aggravated assault by auto and third-degree heroin possession. He was arrested released on his own recognizance pending a court date on July 8 at 8:30 a.m.

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