Cumberland County Driver Charged in Hit-and-Run That Injured Three Teens

A Cedarville man faces multiple criminal counts after his Jeep SUV veered onto the right shoulder of County Route 533 and struck three male teenagers on Main Street in the Cedarville section of Lawrence Township at about 7 p.m. Saturday, New Jersey State Police said. The three juveniles, a 17-year-old with serious injuries, a 15-year-old with moderate injuries and another 15-year-old with minor injuries, were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police, said the Jeep was traveling northbound near milepost 12 on the two-lane road when it mounted the shoulder and hit the pedestrians. “After the impact, Rodriguez fled the scene prior to the trooper’s arrival,” Lebron said, describing the initial response and the vehicle’s movements.

Authorities later identified the driver as 30-year-old Eric Rodriguez, who lives in the Cedarville section of Lawrence Township. “Through various investigative means, Rodriguez was identified as the operator of the Jeep and was subsequently arrested,” Lebron said. Rodriguez was charged with three counts of assault by auto and two counts of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving serious bodily injury, and he was released from jail pending a court date, according to state police.

Reports indicate the investigation into the crash remained active after police processed the initial scene; law enforcement has not released the teens’ names, the hospital where they were treated, or further medical updates. Investigators have not detailed the specific methods used to identify Rodriguez, and state police did not provide an exact calendar date for the Saturday incident in early statements, though officials confirmed the crash occurred at about 7 p.m.

This Cedarville crash is one of several hit-and-run cases recently reported in Cumberland County, but it is distinct from a Bridgeton pedestrian case that led to the arrest of 32-year-old Brayan Laverde-Torres. That separate incident involved 62-year-old Steven Calloway, who was struck at the intersection of Garfield and South Avenues on Nov. 2 and later flown to Cooper Medical Center in Camden; Laverde-Torres is being held at the Cumberland County Jail and investigators asked anyone with information to contact Det. Caccese at (856) 451-0033.

Local residents seeking updates on the Cedarville investigation can direct questions to the New Jersey State Police public affairs office; Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron provided the primary statement on the crash and on Rodriguez’s subsequent identification and arrest. The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.