10-06-2007, 12:05 AM
Man is killed in hit-and-run in Newark
At least three suspects escape on foot from stolen vehicle after crash
Friday, October 05, 2007
BY BARRY CARTER
Star-Ledger Staff
Simon Priester Jr., a Jehovah's Witness, may have been getting ready to canvass a Newark neighborhood yesterday morning when a stolen car with three people in it struck and killed him as he was getting out of his vehicle.
Priester, 66, of Union was steps away from where he attends worship at the Weequahic Heights Congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Renner Avenue when the stolen Dodge Stratus hit him in front of a neighbor's home.
The car, reported stolen from the city's East Ward on Tuesday, was occupied by at least three suspects who ran from the scene and are still at large, said Todd McClendon, a city police spokesman.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said the suspects will be held accountable when they are found.
"This senseless tragedy occurred as the result of the inexcusable behavior of individuals who chose to disrespect our city and residents."
Stanley Woods, a member of the congregation, believes his good friend had already gone door to door to hand out spiritual literature and may have stopped by the Kingdom Hall to go to the bathroom before going home.
"I think that's what happened here," he said. "I lost one of my partners. Man, he's gone. What can I tell you."
The stolen car, according to police, hit two other parked cars on the street, where residents complained that speeding is common. The fatal accident, reported around 10:30 a.m., has angered the residents who want the city to install speed bumps.
They said the stolen car hit four vehicles: a Lexus, a Cadillac, a Toyota and another car. The impact forced the Toyota onto the sidewalk, trapping Priester between the Toyota and underneath the Cadillac.
"These jokers come down here like it's a racetrack," said Dereck Pierce, whose wife owns the Cadillac.
the last two years, Pierce said, his Cadillac has been hit twice and his daughter's car has been struck by cars speeding through the neighborhood.
"How come we can't get some speed bumps?" he said. "That's not to say that would prevent an accident, but it would slow them down. It's always something on this block."
Pierce's wife, Joy, was visibly upset. With tears in her eyes, she placed a red balloon in front of her home, something she didn't take pleasure in doing.
"I don't like the feeling of this," said Joy Pierce, who saw Priester under her car. "I'm not used to nobody getting killed in front of my door."
James Nelson, her neighbor and a retired Newark police officer, came out of his house in his pajamas, thinking he could help Priester, until he felt no pulse.
"This is a man who was giving something back to God and they murdered him," he said.
Residents on the street said they fear for the safety of children, many of whom live in high-rise apartment buildings and walk along Renner Avenue to Peshine Avenue School.
"This is crazy," said Darschan Stephens, a neighborhood resident. "I'm ready to move."
Police officers brought out dogs to pick up the scent of the suspects, who may have been seen on Scheerer Avenue, a street that is parallel to Renner Avenue at one point.
Residents believe the suspects ran through the backyards of homes on Renner and onto Scheerer.
Janice Coleman said she heard the crash from her home on Scheerer Avenue. When she looked out of her front window, she saw a man with jeans and a light-colored shirt on her front lawn. Her cousin, Shanice Johnson, said she saw another man coming through the driveway of the house.
Priester's death hit hard with members of the congregation as the news spread.
Frank Jones said Priester was a good man, a leader in the congregation.
"He was a beautiful man," Jones said.
Despite the loss, though, Woods said the congregation forgives the suspects.
"The Bible teaches us that we forgive our enemies," Woods said. "That's what we will do. We will forgive our enemies."
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/ind...xml&coll=1
At least three suspects escape on foot from stolen vehicle after crash
Friday, October 05, 2007
BY BARRY CARTER
Star-Ledger Staff
Simon Priester Jr., a Jehovah's Witness, may have been getting ready to canvass a Newark neighborhood yesterday morning when a stolen car with three people in it struck and killed him as he was getting out of his vehicle.
Priester, 66, of Union was steps away from where he attends worship at the Weequahic Heights Congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Renner Avenue when the stolen Dodge Stratus hit him in front of a neighbor's home.
The car, reported stolen from the city's East Ward on Tuesday, was occupied by at least three suspects who ran from the scene and are still at large, said Todd McClendon, a city police spokesman.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said the suspects will be held accountable when they are found.
"This senseless tragedy occurred as the result of the inexcusable behavior of individuals who chose to disrespect our city and residents."
Stanley Woods, a member of the congregation, believes his good friend had already gone door to door to hand out spiritual literature and may have stopped by the Kingdom Hall to go to the bathroom before going home.
"I think that's what happened here," he said. "I lost one of my partners. Man, he's gone. What can I tell you."
The stolen car, according to police, hit two other parked cars on the street, where residents complained that speeding is common. The fatal accident, reported around 10:30 a.m., has angered the residents who want the city to install speed bumps.
They said the stolen car hit four vehicles: a Lexus, a Cadillac, a Toyota and another car. The impact forced the Toyota onto the sidewalk, trapping Priester between the Toyota and underneath the Cadillac.
"These jokers come down here like it's a racetrack," said Dereck Pierce, whose wife owns the Cadillac.
the last two years, Pierce said, his Cadillac has been hit twice and his daughter's car has been struck by cars speeding through the neighborhood.
"How come we can't get some speed bumps?" he said. "That's not to say that would prevent an accident, but it would slow them down. It's always something on this block."
Pierce's wife, Joy, was visibly upset. With tears in her eyes, she placed a red balloon in front of her home, something she didn't take pleasure in doing.
"I don't like the feeling of this," said Joy Pierce, who saw Priester under her car. "I'm not used to nobody getting killed in front of my door."
James Nelson, her neighbor and a retired Newark police officer, came out of his house in his pajamas, thinking he could help Priester, until he felt no pulse.
"This is a man who was giving something back to God and they murdered him," he said.
Residents on the street said they fear for the safety of children, many of whom live in high-rise apartment buildings and walk along Renner Avenue to Peshine Avenue School.
"This is crazy," said Darschan Stephens, a neighborhood resident. "I'm ready to move."
Police officers brought out dogs to pick up the scent of the suspects, who may have been seen on Scheerer Avenue, a street that is parallel to Renner Avenue at one point.
Residents believe the suspects ran through the backyards of homes on Renner and onto Scheerer.
Janice Coleman said she heard the crash from her home on Scheerer Avenue. When she looked out of her front window, she saw a man with jeans and a light-colored shirt on her front lawn. Her cousin, Shanice Johnson, said she saw another man coming through the driveway of the house.
Priester's death hit hard with members of the congregation as the news spread.
Frank Jones said Priester was a good man, a leader in the congregation.
"He was a beautiful man," Jones said.
Despite the loss, though, Woods said the congregation forgives the suspects.
"The Bible teaches us that we forgive our enemies," Woods said. "That's what we will do. We will forgive our enemies."
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/ind...xml&coll=1