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Michael Baba ran a red light at the corner of Washington and Lafayette Avenues, where his 2012 Toyota Camry rammed a 2002 Ford Explorer so hard that it flipped onto its roof before coming to rest on a lawn on the intersection’s northwest corner, Molinelli said.
Niall O’Hagan, 46, of Belleville was later taken by helicopter to Hackensack University Medical Center and was expected to survive, the prosecutor said. According to a law enforcement official familiar with the 9:45 a.m. crash, he lost the use of his hand.
Molinelli said Baba for now is charged with assault by auto and was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic signal and driving an unregistered vehicle.
He was expected to be arraigned July 24 in Westwood Municipal Court, Molinelli said, adding that additional charges were expected.
Blood and urine samples were taken from Baba and will be submitted for toxicological examination, Molinelli said.
CLIFFVIEW PILOT has also learned that detectives with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Fatal Accident Unit searched Baba’s home for evidence, possibly involving prescription drugs.
Responding were emergency workers from Westwood, Hillsdale and Washington Township, among others.
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