Amaris Gantt was lawfully crossing Essex Street near State Street in Hackensack on Jan. 30, when Nicholas Mutterer was driving a Ford F-250 and making a turn onto Essex Street when he struck her, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Sept. 8, in Bergen County Superior Court. The complaint alleges Mutterer operated the truck in an "inattentive, negligent, careless, and reckless fashion," resulting in severe and permanent injuries to Gantt.
No charges were filed against Mutterer, 21, in connection with the crash, the NJ Courts site shows.
The lawsuit names the City of Hackensack, Bergen County and the State of New Jersey as defendants, alleging one or more of the government entities owned or insured the F-250 and permitted Mutterer to use it.
The address listed for Gantt in the complaint is a Bergen County facility on Essex Street that houses several youth and family services programs. Gantt claims she suffered permanent injuries to multiple parts of her body, required medical treatment, lost time from her usual activities and occupations, and experienced pain and anguish.
The lawsuit says Gantt has incurred more than $3,600 in medical expenses and alleges she suffered a permanent loss of bodily function. She expects to incur additional medical expenses, according to the complaint.
Gantt previously served a notice of claim on the government defendants, and more than six months passed without the claim being satisfied, the lawsuit says. She is seeking damages, interest and costs and has demanded a jury trial. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount sought.
New Jersey Judiciary records show Mutterer has faced numerous motor vehicle and related charges in recent years.
Most recently, Mutterer was charged in Riverdale with DWI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, reckless driving, speeding 20 to 24 mph over the limit and several other motor vehicle offenses stemming from an April 26, 2026 incident. Court records also show an eluding charge alleging he created a risk of death or injury to another person stemming from the same date.
Earlier records show Mutterer was cited for speeding 10 to 14 mph over the limit in Pequannock in March 2026 and unsafe operation of a vehicle in Oakland in June 2025. He was also cited for careless driving and other motor vehicle offenses in Oakland in June 2024, and careless driving and a probationary-license violation in Glen Rock in July 2022.
Mutterer is also a volunteer firefighter in Oakland. Oakland's borough administrator, Richard Kunze, said the lawsuit does not involve Mutterer's work as a volunteer firefighter, but confirmed he was on a leave of absence as of press time.
A Bergen County spokesperson told Daily Voice that the county had not been served as of press time "but will promptly move to have the Complaint against it dismissed."
City of Hackensack spokesperson Frank Borelli and Department of Public Works Superintendent Jesse D'Amore, for comment, did not return Daily Voice's requests for comments placed on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
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