The following was compiled from media reports (The Star Ledger NJ.com and Yeshiva World News TheYeshivaWorld.com) as well as statements from law enforcement authorities.
Six year old Chaim Kraus, walking on the sidewalk with his mother, was killed on Saturday afternoon, January 16, when a 2013 Lexus jumped the curb at Columbia Avenue and Route 27. The boy’s mother also was struck, and is in critical condition following surgery at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.
Even though the police authorities did not provide the name of the mother, a report in the Yeshiva World News said the mother was Mrs. Rochel Baila Kraus. The mother and son reportedly were walking to synagogue Agudah of Edison and Highland Park when the accident occurred.
According to a joint statement from Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Highland Park Police Chief Stephen J. Rizco, a 21-year-old Piscataway man Zhang Zhen Haung was the driver of the Lexus. He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, after he had been treated at the hospital and then released to authorities. Mr. Haung is being held in the Middlesex County jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.
“The tragic accident yesterday has the entire community grieving,” said Highland Park Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler, who attended the funeral for Chaim late Sunday afternoon.
The crash remains under investigation.
Authorities asked that anyone with information to contact Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3300 or Highland Park police Officer Jose Curbelo at 732-572-3800.
The family will be sitting Shiva at the Kraus home, 1721 Central Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904, with LIMITED HOURS, due to the needs of the family. Mincha/Ma’ariv: 4:45 p.m. Nichum Aveileim (Monday – Thursday, and Motzoei Shabbos): 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.