A Jersey City woman who works as a public safety dispatcher has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run in Bayonne.
This incident, which took place on Route 440 early Sunday morning, left a man with life-threatening injuries.
Here’s everything we know about the case, from the events leading up to the hit-and-run to the charges now facing the driver, 37-year-old Kalimah Toon.
- Kalimah Toon, a Jersey City public safety dispatcher, faces charges after a hit-and-run that left a man with life-threatening injuries.
- The hit-and-run occurred after a fight between Toon and the man on Route 440 in Bayonne. She intentionally struck him with her vehicle.
- The victim remains in critical condition, and authorities are continuing to investigate. Toon is now in custody, awaiting her first court appearance.
Fight Leads to Intentional Hit-and-Run on Route 440
On Sunday, October 13, at around 12:20 a.m., Bayonne police received a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle on Route 440 near 22nd Street.
Officers arrived to find a 34-year-old man suffering from severe injuries.
The vehicle that struck him had already left the scene.
An investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the victim and the driver, Kalimah Toon, were having a fight on the shoulder of Route 440.
After the argument, Toon got into her SUV, a Ford Escape, and intentionally hit the man with her car before driving away.
The injured man was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
Authorities later confirmed that Toon and the victim knew each other before the incident, though the reason for their argument is still unclear.
Serious Charges Filed Against Toon
Toon was arrested four days later, on October 17, by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit.
She now faces several serious charges, including:
- Aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury
- Possession of a weapon (motor vehicle) for an unlawful purpose
- Unlawful possession of a weapon (vehicle)
- Knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in serious bodily injury
- Endangering an injured victim
- Hindering the apprehension or prosecution of herself
Toon was apprehended at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and subsequently transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, where she is currently being held.
She is awaiting her first court appearance, which will determine the next steps in the legal process.
Investigation Credits and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Prosecutor Suarez has credited the efforts of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Bayonne Police Department for their swift investigation and the arrest of Toon.
Both agencies have worked diligently to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is pursued for the victim.
As the investigation continues, more details may emerge about the exact nature of the altercation and the events that led to the hit-and-run.
For now, what is clear is that this was a deliberate act of violence that resulted in serious injury, and the legal system will now address the charges against Toon.
