MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Kids struck by New Brunswick fire director file suit

Mike Deak

@MikeDeakMyCJ

NEW BRUNSWICK - The three children who were struck by an SUV driven by the city's fire director almost two years ago have filed suit against him in Middlesex County Superior Court.

Robert Rawls was driving an SUV owned by the city on the afternoon of May 6, 2014, when he struck Jocelyn Pelaez, Arly Melquiadez, and Arly's brother, John Mejia, as they were walking home from school and crossing the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Delavan Street.

Rawls was fined $206 on a careless driving charge in connection with the accident.

Rawls, who was appointed fire director in 2006 and earns more than $150,000 a year, reportedly has had a number of motor-vehicle accidents. Jocelyn Pelaez's lawsuit said that Rawls had been involved in at least 18 accidents and had been charged with seven motor vehicle violations before the May 6, 2014, accident.

Girl injured in fire director's crash to file civil suit

Arly Melquiadez and John Mejia had previously filed suit against Rawls and the City of New Brunswick. They are represented by Newark attorney James Krupka.

Jocelyn Pelaez filed suit against Rawls, the city and the school district on Jan. 29. She is represented by Somerville attorney Ed Rebenack.

Jocelyn Pelaez's lawsuit claims that Rawls was driving in a "careless, negligent and/or reckless manner."

The suit also alleges that the city and school were negligent because they had failed to provide crossing guards at the intersection and "did not provide students with a safe means of attending the public school."

New Brunswick fire director hits three children with SUV, officials say

Her lawsuit also argues that the city was negligent in the "hiring, training, entrustment, supervision and retention" of Rawls as fire director with the.authority to drive vehicles owned by the city.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Bradshaw said the city would have no comment on the pending litigation.

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Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com