NJ Teen Charged After SUV Hits Six Students

A 16-year-old driver has been charged with aggravated assault and joyriding after an SUV struck six teenagers on a Lindenwold, New Jersey sidewalk, sending all of them to the hospital. The incident occurred around 2:11 p.m. on E Gibbsboro Road, near Lindenwold High School and an apartment complex.

Authorities reported that the alleged driver swerved off the road, mounted the curb, and drove onto the sidewalk where the group of students, aged 14 to 16, were walking. Surveillance video reportedly shows the SUV striking the students and continuing across the sidewalk, narrowly missing a utility pole before crashing into a metal fence.

At least one student was trapped beneath the vehicle and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The other five students were transported to local hospitals with undisclosed injuries. Officials confirmed that all six victims were recovering and that there were no fatalities.

Dennis Woodley, a grocery store worker who had just finished his shift, described the scene, stating he heard the crash and ran to the location. He reported seeing one girl with her leg pinned under the tire and another student trapped under the front bumper of the SUV. Woodley and a co-worker allegedly prevented the teenage driver from leaving the scene until police arrived, though police have not confirmed if the driver attempted to flee.

The driver and an unidentified passenger were detained at the scene. The teen driver has been charged with one count of second-degree aggravated assault, six counts of third-degree aggravated assault, and one count of joyriding. The driver was taken to the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center.

Lindenwold school district Superintendent Kristin P. O’Neil referred to the incident as an "accident" in a message to the school community, expressing hope that students and families would support those affected.