India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident on the Garden State Parkway, on the evening of April 12 while he was returning to his official resident in Drumthwacket, New Jersey, from Atlantic City where he attended the annual Conference of Mayors. During a news conference at the hospital Thursday night, state police Superintendent Rick Fuentes confirmed the crash occurred when a red pickup truck - which was on the right shoulder of the highway - swerved and came back onto the highway.

A white Dodge made a hard move to avoid impact with that pick-up, causing the trooper who was driving Corzine’s SUV to swerve and crash, Fuentes said. Roads were dry and there was no rain and no traffic at the time, officials said. NJ Transportation Commissioner, Kris Kolluri who had recently taken on the Governor’s mantle for a day, told India Post Friday morning that his thoughts and prayers were with the Governor and all those involved in the accident.

"I wish him a speedy recovery," he said not wishing to talk further at the moment. Late Thursday night (at India Post press time), doctors inserted a breathing tube because injuries to his chest had left him unable to breath on his own at Cooper University Hospital. Governor Corzine had a broken sternum, a broken collarbone, a slight fracture of his lower vertebrae, broken left leg, six broken ribs on each side and a laceration on his head, said Dr. Sten Ross, head of trauma for the hospital.

 The Governor was conscious when he arrived at the hospital. According to reports, a state trooper and an aide to the governor were also injured in the crash, which occurred near mile marker 43.5 in Galloway Township, Atlantic County. All three were taken to Cooper Hospital in Camden, where the Governor underwent surgery performed by Dr. Robert S. Ostrum. Meanwhile, State Senate President Richard Codey will serve as acting governor while Corzine is in the hospital.

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