Crime & Safety

Driver Was Under Influence of Alcohol, Resident Has Serious Injuries

Dennis Balasabas has serious, non-life threatening injuries, said Summit Police Lt. Richel, and driver was arrested, charged for being under the influence, failure to yield in crosswalk.

The Summit resident who was struck while crossing Summit Avenue on Monday evening sustained serious injuries that appear to be non-life threatening at this time, said Summit Police Lt. David L. Richel.

Dennis Balasabas, a 39-year-old Summit resident, was crossing Summit Avenue at Union Place around 5:30 p.m. Monday, Richel said. Mark Boettcher, a 51-year-old Springfield resident, was driving a 2002 Toyota southbound on Summit Avenue when he hit Balasabas, who was in the marked crosswalk.

“The driver was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk,” Richel said.

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The Union County Fatal Accident Team assisted in the investigation due to the initial report of life threatening injuries sustained by the pedestrian, Richel said. The Summit Fire Department and Rescue Squad also responded to the scene.

Original Story — Monday, 9 p.m.

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A pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Franklin Place in Summit on Monday just before 5:30 p.m.

Summit Police Lt. David L. Richel said this was a serious motor vehicle accident, but wasn't able to confirm the extent of the pedestrian’s injuries or if the injuries are fatal.

Richel did confirm the pedestrian is a male resident of Summit and said he was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital.

“The car was traveling south on Summit Avenue and struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk,” Richel said. “That’s what we have so far.”

The driver of the vehicle is a male Springfield resident, Richel said.

An investigation team from Union County was still at the scene around 8 p.m. Monday night. 

Richel said this accident is still under investigation at this time.

Summit Police Officers said Summit Police Department, Summit Fire Department and Summit EMS responded to the scene.

Editor’s note: Summit Patch will provide more information about this accident as it becomes available.


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