By Eric Shore, New Jersey Personal Injury & Disability Attorney
Representing injury victims across NJ for over 30 years
Published: October 17, 2025
A 32-year-old man, Nathaniel Turner, was hit and dragged by a car while riding his scooter on Oakland Street in Trenton. The driver didn’t stop. Turner suffered severe injuries: broken ribs, spinal fractures, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding.
This week, 22-year-old Aiyona Reddon of Burlington Township turned herself in. She faces charges for leaving the scene and endangering an injured victim. Her mother was also charged with witness tampering.
Stories like this hit me differently than they might hit other lawyers. And I’ll tell you why in a moment.
What happens if a driver leaves the scene of an accident in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, leaving the scene isn’t just wrong. It’s a felony when injuries occur. It’s charged as a third-degree crime, which means 3 to 5 years in prison, substantial fines, and loss of driving privileges.
Even when a driver turns themselves in later, they still face serious penalties. Accountability matters, but consequences remain. The law doesn’t forgive hit-and-runs just because someone eventually comes forward.
Can victims still recover money after a hit-and-run?
Yes. This is important: victims can bring a civil claim even when the driver flees the scene. The criminal case and the civil case are completely separate. One is about punishing the driver. The other is about making the victim whole.
Your right to compensation doesn’t disappear just because the driver did. If the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. A lot of people don’t realize they have this coverage until they need it.
Who pays if the driver has no insurance or is never caught?
Your own car insurance policy. Most people are surprised to learn this, but if you have uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage), it can step in to cover you, even if you weren’t the one driving. Even if you were walking, biking, or on a scooter.
Uninsured motorist benefits can cover medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injuries and disability, and pain and suffering. The catch is that insurance companies don’t always make this easy. They’ll look for reasons to pay less or deny the claim entirely. That’s where having an attorney early makes all the difference. We know how to find hidden coverage, preserve evidence before it disappears, and fight back when insurers try to lowball victims.
Why this story feels personal to me
Years ago, one of my employees was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver during her lunch break. She was holding the hand of another employee when it happened.
I’ll never forget that day. And I’ll never forget the Cherry Hill Police, who worked tirelessly to find the driver and bring her to justice.
That experience changed the way I see every case. When I read about Nathaniel Turner lying on Oakland Street with a collapsed lung and broken ribs, I think of her. I think of that moment. I think of the pain her family faced and the hole it left in all of our lives.
This work isn’t abstract to me. It’s deeply personal.
What should you do after a hit-and-run in New Jersey?
Call 911 right away.** Even if you think you’re okay, call anyway. Internal bleeding, brain injuries, and spinal damage don’t always show symptoms immediately. People walk away from crashes and collapse hours later. Don’t take that chance.
**Stay at the scene and collect evidence.** If you’re able, take photos of your injuries, the scene, any debris, skid marks, or damage. Get names and phone numbers from witnesses. Look around for nearby cameras: businesses, homes, traffic lights, doorbell cams. That footage might be the only way to identify the driver, and it gets deleted or recorded over fast.
**File a police report immediately.** Without it, your insurance claim will be much harder to prove. The report creates an official record and starts the investigation. Don’t wait. Don’t assume someone else called. You call.
**Call a lawyer early, before you talk to any insurance company.** We can preserve video footage before it’s erased, locate all available insurance coverage, and handle the insurance companies before they start trying to minimize your claim. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Time matters more than people realize.
**Get medical care and follow up.** Even if the ER clears you, follow up with your doctor. Some injuries don’t show up on the first visit. And from a legal standpoint, gaps in treatment give insurance companies an excuse to argue you weren’t really hurt. Don’t give them that opening.
What this case means for Trenton
This crash highlights an ongoing problem on Oakland Street. Neighbors have complained for years about speeding, poor lighting, and unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
As scooters and bikes become a more common way to get around, especially in working-class neighborhoods where they’re an affordable alternative to owning a car, our streets need to catch up. We need safer street design, consistent enforcement, and a culture of accountability.
Nathaniel Turner’s injuries didn’t have to happen. And the next crash doesn’t have to happen either. But it will, unless something changes.
Does turning yourself in make a difference?
It can. Cooperating with police helps move the legal process forward and may influence sentencing down the road. Judges sometimes take that into account. But let’s be clear: turning yourself in doesn’t undo the harm. It doesn’t erase the broken ribs, the collapsed lung, or the months of recovery ahead for Nathaniel Turner.
For victims and families, closure doesn’t come from an apology or a guilty plea. It comes from justice, real justice, and from knowing that someone fought for them when it mattered.
The criminal case holds the driver accountable to society. The civil case is what makes the victim whole, or as close to whole as money can get them.
Final Thought
Justice doesn’t happen on its own. It happens because people care. The police who investigate. The prosecutors who file charges. The lawyers who fight. The community that refuses to look away.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a hit-and-run anywhere in New Jersey, don’t wait to get help. You have rights. And there are people ready to protect them.
Our Cherry Hill office has been fighting for injury victims for over 30 years. We know how these cases work, and we know how to win them.
📞 Call 1-800-CANT-WORK or (856) 433-6173
Quick FAQ
What should I do after a hit and run in New Jersey?
Call 911, stay at the scene, document everything, file a police report, and contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Can I sue if the driver ran away?
Yes. You can file a civil claim against the driver once identified, or use your own uninsured motorist coverage if they’re never found.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in NJ?
In most New Jersey injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident. But evidence fades fast. Don’t wait.
Do I need a lawyer for a hit and run accident?
Yes. Insurance companies will try to minimize your claim. An experienced attorney protects your rights and fights for full compensation.
What if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage?
You may still have options. An attorney can review household policies, the at-fault driver’s insurance (if located), and other potential sources of recovery.
Can I get compensated if I was on a scooter or bike?
Absolutely. Pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders have the same rights as drivers when they’re injured by someone else’s negligence.
