North Plainfield Police Department

Chief William Parenti

Press Release of December 12, 2008

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti and Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest announced that a pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle as he attempted to cross Watchung Avenue near the intersection with Pearl Street just before 8:00 pm Thursday night.  The pedestrian was pronounced deceased after being transported to Muhlenberg Hospital by the North Plainfield Rescue Squad.  The pedestrian suffered massive trauma to the head and body. 

The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been established and efforts to do so by the police are active and ongoing.  The accident was investigated by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team and the North Plainfield Police Department.  It is believed the pedestrian walked out into traffic as he attempted to cross the Watchung Ave from the east side to the west side.  Mercy 6 Paramedics also responded to the scene. 

The motor vehicle was operated by Gilda Bernal, 42 years of age, of North Plainfield.  She has not been charged with any violations in connection with the accident.  The unidentified pedestrian is a male believed to be in his thirties of Hispanic ethnicity.  He was approximately 5’2” tall, with a medium build.  He had two tattoos: a cobra on his left shoulder, heart on his inner right forearm.  Anyone with additional information about the accident, or who believes they might assist the police in identifying the subject are urged to contact the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2937 or the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477.