New Jersey Corrections Officer Critical After Hit By Car in Newark

An off-duty New Jersey state corrections officer was in critical condition Saturday morning after he was struck by a car earlier that day on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, according to officials with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Though very few details about the incident were available, it appears the man, whose name, age and rank were not released, was walking near 133 Bloomfield Ave. when he was hit around 4:30 a.m.

Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office, said police have a suspect in custody and said that person is "likely to be charged."

A 1010 WINS radio report, citing Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio, states police apprehended the suspect after colleagues who were with the corrections officer during the time of the incident pursued the driver.

It's unclear if the officer, who works at Northern State Prison in Newark, was crossing the street or was on the sidewalk when he was hit. The 1010 WINS report says the officer was struck while walking across Bloomfield Avenue, but authorities have not confirmed that account.

The scene Saturday around 10:30 a.m. showed little signs of an investigation — it lacked police tape, skid marks, car debris or blood. At the Bloomfield Avenue address is a blue-colored home near the corner of 4th Avenue.

This is a breaking news story. Continue to check Patch for updates.