Crime & Safety

Newark Girl Struck, Killed on Central Avenue

No charges have been filed against driver pending investigation

A 7-year-old girl is dead after being mowed down by a car on Central Avenue Monday evening in Newark, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed.

Jamyah Harris, of Newark, was struck near the intersection of Central and Fairmount avenues shortly after 6 p.m., authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, also unidentified, was found in the area by Newark police officers, according to Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant prosecutor of ECPO. No charges have been filed and no summonses have been issued at this time, pending an investigation by ECPO's Major Crimes Task Force and Newark Police Department.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Central Avenue remained cordoned off from all corners Monday night, as dozens of passersby crowded around the grisly scene. A white sheet was draped over a gold, four-door Chevy Malibu, which had severe front-end damage after it appeared to have crashed into the back of a white van located outside 439 Central Ave.

One witness, a Georgia King resident who did not want to be named, claimed he saw the accident happen while walking north on Fairmount Avenue.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Any person in a car that comes on this corner – or any populated street – you should slow down," he said. "There's kids all around."

A preschool and Sussex Avenue Elementary School are located within walking distance from the accident.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., an older woman overcome with emotion approached the police tape blocking off Central Avenue on Fairmount Avenue.

"They took my grandbaby," she cried. "She's so innocent. She don't deserve that."

Central Avenue, a main thoroughfare that connects Newark and East Orange, is notorious for speeders – a death-trap for pedestrians, residents said.

Jacqueline Bennett, a 10-year resident of 3rd Street, handed out petitions to install a speed bump in the area in hopes of preventing another tragedy.

"This area is bad for speeding and stolen cars," said Bennett.

Anyone with information is asked to contact task force detectives at 877-847-7432 or 973-621-4586.

[Editor's note: This story originally published at 9:47 p.m. Monday. It has since been updated.]


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.