On July 3, 2023, Gaiane M. Jackson was a pedestrian, within the scope of her employment as a crossing guard with the Township of Lakewood, that was working at her assigned traffic post at the intersection of James Street and Williams Street, when she was suddenly and unexpectedly struck by a motor vehicle.
The operator of a vehicle was June D'Elia, wife of then-Committeeman Mike D'Elia Sr.
The crash caused Ms. Jackson to spend several months in rehabilitation. Over a year after the crash, Ms. Jackson has not yet returned to her crossing guard job.
Represented by Eatontown Attorney Norman M. Hobbie Esq., Ms. Jackson has just slammed a lawsuit naming as defendants June D'Elia as well as her husband.
"June D'Elia had a duty to operate her motor vehicle in a safe and prudent manner, so as to avoid creating an unreasonable risk of injury to others.
"June D'Elia breached her duty by operating her vehicle in a negligent and careless manner, failing to yield to pedestrians, failing to take evasive action... and otherwise violating the laws of New Jersey pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles, and striking Gaiane Jackson.
"As a direct result of said negligence and carelessnes, Giane sustained severe and permanent physical injury, emotional grief, torment and anguish, has been and will be prevented from engaging in her usual pursuits and activities and has been and will in the future be caused to sustain a loss of enjoyment of life," the civil complaint filed in New Jersey Superior Court in Ocean County asserts.
The suit also names Michael D'Elia Sr. as a defendant.
"Michael was the owner of the vehicle. He negligently, carelessly, and recklesssly, entrusted and permited June to drive the vehicle. This crash was a direct and proximate result of that negligence.
"As a direct and proximate result of the negligent, careless and reckless conduct of Michael in permitting June to operate the vehicle, Michael may be primarily and vicariously liable for the injuries sustained by plaintif, as a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the permitted user June," the complaint alleges.
The suit demands judgement against both Michael and June for compensatory damages, together with interest, costs of suit, and such other damages as the Court may deem just and appropriate.
The suit seeks for a trial by jury.
The D'Elia's have 35 days to answer the complaint.
Mike originally served a short stint on the Township Committee around 30 years ago. In 2014, at a ripe age, he returned to the political position. In 2017 he told The Lakewood Scoop that the Committee had in the past few years "accomplished keeping the municpal tax rate flat, and worked diligently to add, widen, and improve roads to alleviate traffic," and that he "wanted to keep the momentum going."
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