Police: Carjacked Vehicle Kills Man During N.J. Chase
EAST ORANGE, N.J. (CBS 2/1010 WINS/AP) -- Officials say a carjacked vehicle fleeing police struck and killed a pedestrian in West Orange Friday.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says Jamal Silvera drove off in a municipal vehicle from the Lakeside Street Municipal Garage at 9:50 a.m.
Officials say the vehicle struck and killed 63-year-old James Callaway of Maplewood outside St. Mark's AME Church, where he was a trustee for 14 years.
"It's just a great loss and a tragedy that we have endured today," Darrel Hall, Callaway's friend, told reporters including CBS 2's John Slattery.
"He probably had no time to react, to get out the way...an unfortunate loss today," Hall said.
Callaway was leaving the church and was struck as he was he was about to get into his car.
"And today he was here doing some work for the church -- some paperwork. And leaving the church, I just walked on the scene. I don't know where...they told me a car came up on the sidewalk," Pastor Archie Cummings said.
Reporter Kathleen Maloney of 1010 WINS spoke with Callaway's wife, Patricia, Friday evening.
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"I'm, you know, trying to see how did it really come to be...it's like a bad dream," she said.
West Orange police spotted the vehicle and pursued it into East Orange.
Officials say the 21-year-old suspect continued driving until he crashed. Silvera was captured after a brief foot chase.
Silvera has been charged with felony murder and bail was set at $1 million.
