Justice Served: NJ Police Go the Extra Mile to Apprehend Hit-and-Run Driver After Brutal Collision

PLAINSBORO, NJ – In a testament to relentless police work, authorities in Plainsboro, New Jersey, have successfully apprehended a hit-and-run driver accused of leaving a bicyclist with severe injuries following a horrific collision.

The incident, which shocked the local community, occurred on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 6:52 a.m.

The tranquil morning was shattered when a 56-year-old bicyclist from Monmouth Junction was struck from behind by a vehicle on Plainsboro Road, near the intersection of Scotts Corner Road. The impact was significant, inflicting serious bodily injuries upon the cyclist, who was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for urgent medical care.

Tragically, the vehicle involved in the crash did not stop, fleeing the scene and leaving the injured victim behind.

Upon arrival, Plainsboro police officers immediately launched an extensive investigation. The initial clues were sparse but critical: debris found at the crash site indicated a dark-colored SUV or crossover vehicle was involved.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the callous nature of the driver's actions, the Plainsboro Police Department, led by Officer Christopher Kondek, swiftly initiated a comprehensive search for answers.

The investigation quickly escalated, drawing in resources from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the North Brunswick Police Department.

Detectives embarked on a meticulous canvass of local businesses and residential areas, tirelessly reviewing surveillance footage. Their persistence paid off when footage from the Princeton Public Works Department captured a dark-colored SUV exhibiting damage consistent with the hit-and-run collision.

This pivotal piece of evidence allowed investigators to identify the vehicle as a 2017 Acura MDX.

With the vehicle type confirmed, the next crucial step was to locate its owner. Further investigation led them to 57-year-old Michael P. Kennedy of Plainsboro. Upon locating Kennedy and his vehicle, authorities discovered damage that precisely matched the debris collected from the scene of the accident, solidifying the link between him and the tragic incident.

Michael P.

Kennedy was subsequently arrested on May 1, 2024, facing a litany of serious charges. He has been charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree crime in New Jersey, carrying significant penalties. Beyond the initial hit-and-run charge, Kennedy also faces charges of hindering apprehension and destruction of evidence, suggesting an attempt to conceal his involvement in the collision.

Additionally, he was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report a motor vehicle accident.

Following his arrest, Kennedy was transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center, where he remains held pending a mandatory detention hearing.

The swift and diligent actions of the Plainsboro Police Department, supported by their inter-agency partners, underscore their unwavering commitment to ensuring accountability and delivering justice for victims of such egregious acts.