LAKEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT RUSHES TO SETTLE LAWSUIT JUST BEFORE COURT HEARING



The Lakewood Police Department rushed to settle a lawsuit just ahead of their scheduled court case.


As previously reported here and here on FAA News, two lawsuits have been filed after a Lakewood police officer caused a 3-way crash while driving a department vehicle.


Both lawsuits fault the police officer.


Both lawsuits assert that back in July 2022, Lakewood Police Officer Matthew T. McKee crashed into Freehold Township resident Ujjwala Jain while he was driving a police department vehicle on Route 88 in Brick Township in a non-emergency situation.


Jain was stopped in traffic eastbound when Officer McKee, who was driving behind her, struck her vehicle so forcefully that her vehicle crossed over into oncoming westbound traffic. At that point her vehicle collided with a third vehicle which was driven by Suzanne M. Pickell.


Jain and Pickell dispute who crashed into who. However, both agree that McKee is liable for the crashes.


Jain's complaint charges that the crash caused her "serious and permanent damages" and she is currently "disabled from attending to her necessary affairs and business."


The suit, filed by Edison Attorney Steven Cahn, seeks an unspecified amount of money for damages, interest, and costs of suit.


Pickell's complaint charges that "McKee so negligently owned and operated his motor vehicle so as to cause his vehicle to collide with Jain's vehicle. As a result of the collision between McKee and Jain, Jain then struck Pickell's car, causing Pickell to sustain serious injuries.


"Jain so carelessly operated their motor vehicle and/or failed to take any evasive action after the initial collision thereby causing their vehicle to strike Pickell's vehicle, causing Pickell to sustain serious injuries.


"As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and carelessness of the defendants, plaintiff suffered permanent injuries whereby body parts have not healed to function normally... which injuries required medical treatment, caused pain and suffering, disability and impairment and the loss of enjoyment of life and incapacitated plaintiff from pursuing normal employment and other usual activities and will in the future require additional medical treatment and result in continuing pain and suffering, disability and impairment and loss of enjoyment of life," the Complaint states.


The Complaint, filed by Brick Attorneys Scott W. Geldhauser and John J. Rizzo Esq., seeks an undisclosed amount of damages, attorneys fees and costs of suit.


At his interviews, Officer McKee stated he "didn't remember how the crash occurred."


Pickell filed a motion for summary judgment. Just before the motion hearing which was scheduled for Friday morning, the police department rushed to settle with Pickell.


The department remains in litigation with Ujjwala Jain.


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