The
Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has announced a man from Florida has been arrested in connection to the
motor vehicle collision Tuesday in Paterson that left one dead and five
injured.
According
to authorities, Harold Rasbin, 31, of Orlando, Florida, has been charged in
connection to the collision. He’s charged with aggravated manslaughter and death
by automobile, among other charges.
Authorities
say police responded to the intersection of Main and Market streets around 3:15
p.m. in response to a motor vehicle collision involving multiple motor vehicles
and pedestrians. Rasbin was driving a Honda CRV and struck an occupied police
vehicle that was pulled over on the side of the road at the time.
Rasbin
then drive away and collided with another vehicle at the intersection, lost
control of the vehicle and struck several pedestrians.
The
vehicle finally came to rest when it struck a light pole in the area of 227
Main Street and became disabled. As officers arrived, Rasbin exited the vehicle
and ran on foot, but was apprehended by the officers after a short foot
pursuit.
One
person was pronounced dead at the scene, and five others were transported to
Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment for various injuries.
An
investigation revealed Rasbin stole the CRV a short time before the crash. The
police vehicle that was struck during the incident was stationary on the side
of the road while the officer was engaged in traffic enforcement unrelated to
earlier theft of the CRV.
Rasbin
is currently in custody and the State has filed a motion for pre-trial
detention. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Monday.
The
Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information to
contact them at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the
Paterson Police Department Traffic Division at 973-321-1111.