Traffic & Transit

Car Fatally Strikes Woman, Drags Her To NJ Supermarket; Driver Thought She Hit Garbage Bag: Police

The driver thought she hit a trash bag and continued to the grocery store. When she finished her shopping, she found the body, police say.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A woman was recently found dead in a North Jersey supermarket parking lot after she was hit by a car and dragged underneath it for several blocks, authorities said Monday.

The victim’s body was discovered around 7 p.m. on Friday in the parking lot of the Extra Supermarket at 327 Lyons Avenue in Newark, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Department of Public Safety.

The driver told police that she was traveling southbound on Sherman Avenue when she struck what she initially believed was a garbage bag. She kept driving to the grocery store, went inside to make a purchase and returned to the car – but when she tried to put the vehicle in reverse, it wouldn’t move.

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The driver went to investigate and found the victim laying underneath the car. She then alerted a security officer at the store, who called 911.

The victim – who has not been identified – was pronounced dead at the scene.

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A police investigation continues, authorities said.

No additional details – including whether charges have been filed against the driver – were available as of Monday.

Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.