VERONA-CEDAR GROVE

Verona hit-and-run renews call for Fairview Avenue traffic light

Joshua Jongsma
NorthJersey

A hit-and-run that left a Cedar Grove cyclist hospitalized renewed a call for a traffic light on Fairview Avenue from Verona’s mayor.

Verona Police Capt. Stephen DePoe speaks to the Township Council during a Monday, June 5, 2017 meeting.

A New York man was charged with driving under the influence and other offenses after allegedly hitting a cyclist with his car and fleeing the scene in Verona, authorities said.

“Fairview Avenue as most of you know has been an area of prior concern when we talk about traffic conditions in the town for what seems like forever,” Verona Mayor Kevin Ryan said during a Monday, June 5 Township Council meeting. “I don’t know if any traffic light or anything else could have prevented something like this when you just have somebody hell bent on driving recklessly but we are still in the process of trying to get that light up on Sampson and Fairview.”

Dean T. Locke, 49, of Shirley, N.Y., was allegedly driving a Ford F-150 southbound on Fairview Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. on May 31 when he hit a 51-year-old cyclist from Cedar Grove, according to Township Manager Matthew Cavallo. He was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of accident, having an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, Cavallo said.

The cyclist was still recovering in the hospital as of Monday night, according to Police Capt. Stephen DePoe. 

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The vehicle kept going after hitting the cyclist and a “good Samaritan” helped the victim and then followed the fleeing truck to the area of Bloomfield Avenue, where Locke allegedly parked the vehicle and fled on foot, according to DePoe. Several moments later, Locke was found hiding behind a trash bin and taken into custody without incident, he said.

Locke may have been staying in Cedar Grove at the time of the incident, DePoe said.

“He might be staying in New Jersey for a while, under slightly different circumstances,” Ryan said.

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Verona officials have discussed a light at Fairview Avenue and Sampson Drive, near the high school, with county officials for several years. Since Fairview Avenue is a county road they would need permission from Essex officials. In the meantime, Ryan said they will look into any other traffic calming measures they deem appropriate for the area.

Similar traffic concerns exist on Lakeside Avenue, the site where a Verona woman expecting her second child was struck and killed by a car in March. Ryan said local officials are close to adding additional signage related to traffic speed and control in the area near Pease Avenue and hope to have it posted soon.

DePoe said the police officers will continue to monitor traffic safety closely.

“They’re out there, they’re enforcing it and they’re very diligent,” he said of the officers.

Police promotions

With DePoe serving as the officer in charge following the retirement of Police Chief Mitchell Stern, two other members of the department were promoted. Mike Ruglio was elevated to the rank of captain and David Wardrope to lieutenant. 

The promotions were made to keep the structure of the department intact while DePoe serves as the officer in charge, according to Ryan. Township officials will also conduct a search for a permanent replacement for Stern, the mayor said. 

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com