LAKEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT SETTLES 2 LAWSUITS OVER OFFICER’S MYSTERIOUS CRASH

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 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.

Mysteriously, the police report states that Officer McKee stated he "didn't remember how the crash occurred."

Jain and Pickell filed separate lawsuits against the police department seeking damages for "serious and permanent damages."

Jain is represented by Edison Attorney Steven Cahn. Pickell is represented by Brick Attorneys Scott W. Geldhauser and John J. Rizzo Esq.

Mere days ahead of a scheduled arbitration hearing on the litigation, the police department agreed to out-of-court settlements on both lawsuits.

As previously reported here on FAA News, earlier this year the department was ordered to pay $100,000 in damages due to a crash caused by Traffic Safety Officer Alex Guzman.

As previously reported here on FAA News, the department remains in federal litigation revealing massive allegations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments violations by Detectives Tyler Distefano, Alex Guzman Jr., and James Machecha.

Township officials have not yet indicated whether any police department policies and procedures will be reviewed as a result of these lawsuits.

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