Brooklyn teen charged following multi-car pursuit and crash on Garden State Parkway
Despite the scale of the wreckage, authorities report that all drivers involved, sustained only minor injuries
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A high-speed pursuit on the Garden State Parkway ended in a chaotic multi-vehicle pileup Wednesday night, leaving several people injured and a 19-year-old in custody.
The incident began around 8:45 p.m. when a New Jersey State Trooper from the Bloomfield Station attempted to stop a BMW traveling southbound near milepost 149.3. According to State Police, the driver refused to pull over, sparking a brief but violent pursuit.
As the BMW attempted to flee, it struck a Toyota sedan, sending that vehicle off the roadway and into a concrete barrier. The BMW continued south, slamming into a Chrysler sedan and triggering a massive chain reaction.
The resulting pileup involved a marked Ford troop car, a Hyundai SUV, and a Honda SUV. Both the Hyundai and Honda were forced off the road, where they struck concrete barriers. Debris from the impact was so significant that a piece of the Hyundai dislodged and struck a Ducati motorcycle traveling in the area.
Despite the scale of the wreckage, authorities report that all drivers involved, as well as the State Trooper, sustained only minor injuries. Everyone was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The driver of the BMW has been identified as Amani A. Walcott of Brooklyn, New York. Following the crash, Walcott was arrested and faces multiple charges, including second-degree eluding, fourth-degree aggravated assault, five counts of assault by auto, and possession of a fraudulent driver's license.
Walcott is currently being held at the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing.
