A Jersey City, N.J., councilwoman allegedly hit a cyclist head on and continued driving without stopping to check on his condition.
Councilwoman Amy DeGise, who won her at-large council seat in 2021 as a nonpartisan candidate, does not plan to resign, according to a Patch report.
“Councilwoman DeGise was elected overwhelmingly just a few months ago and she has no intention of walking away from the commitment she made to serve the people of Jersey City,” said Phil Swibinski, a spokesman for DeGise.”
“She will not resign and plans to complete her full term and continue in public service,” Swibinski added. “Amy recognizes the calls that have been made for additional information and transparency. She would very much like to address this situation more comprehensively, but there is a legal process that must play out first and she will not be making any additional public comment at this time.”
Traffic camera video released by city officials Tuesday clearly shows the black SUV allegedly driven by DeGise striking a man on a bicycle in the intersection of Martin L. King Drive and Forrest Street July 19. The vehicle’s driver did not stop to see if the man hit by the vehicle needed medical attention.
Luckily for him, the man on the bicycle was wearing a helmet when he was struck by the front end of the SUV and flipped over before he slid off the windshield onto the pavement. The video shows him gingerly getting up and walking to the sidewalk to avoid being hit by a different vehicle. His mangled bike littered the lane on the other side of MLK Drive.
The video clearly shows the bicyclist, whom a Fox News report since identified as 29-year-old Andrew Black, ran a red light. His claim to police that he had a green light, and thus the right-of-way, appears incorrect as the the traffic light in the street camera video shows the bicycle running a light that was red before he entered the intersection.
DeGise received a summons July 19 for leaving the scene of an accident, according to the Patch report.
Two council members, along with two Jersey City street safety groups, demanded Wednesday that she resign.
Black, has raised $4,090 in a GoFundMe after claiming he is unable to work since the crash. He explained he was delivering for UberEats.
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