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According to police papers obtained by Daily Voice, the 31-year-old Paterson man who caused the crash on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne had been trying to end his own life, but ended up injuring a 44-year-old motorist instead.
Police called to Hamburg Turnpike and Black Oak Ridge Road just before 2 a.m. on June 14 where they found D’Airon J. James sitting on the ground "saying he wished for this happen," according to the criminal complaint in the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
James said that he purposely drove at a high rate of speed into the other vehicle unprovoked, police paperwork says.
The crash seriously damaged a utility pole, a traffic light pole, and two vehicles at a car dealership, police paperwork says. Another motorist, a 44-year-old Pompton Lakes resident, was injured in the crash, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes previously said.
The affidavit for probable cause says the victim was found pinned in his vehicle with airbag deployment and rushed to the hospital.
On Thursday, Aug. 1, Valdes said James was arrested at the scene — which authorities deemed a crime scene — and was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault in the third degree, assault by auto in the fourth degree, endangering another person in the third degree, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The State filed a motion for pretrial detention for James, which was granted on Wednesday, July 31 by Judge Joy-Michele Johnson.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health, 24/7 help is available by calling 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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