An Essex County man has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes for seriously injuring a woman by repeatedly striking her with a vehicle over the weekend in Elizabeth, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Wednesday.
Robenson Louis, 32, of Orange is charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree assault by auto while driving while intoxicated, third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, and two related weapons charges.
At approximately 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, Elizabeth Police Department officers responding to a report of a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians and driving erratically arrived at the area of 7th and Franklin streets to find an adult female who had sustained multiple severe leg injuries that first responders initially assessed as life-threatening, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Alaina Caliendo, who is prosecuting the case.
A rapidly unfolding investigation revealed that following an argument with a boyfriend of the victim’s relative, Louis entered his Range Rover SUV, jumped over a curb onto the sidewalk, and repeatedly struck the victim with the vehicle before driving away, Caliendo said.
Robenson was arrested moments later nearby, in the area of Elizabeth Avenue and U.S. Routes 1&9. He was lodged in Union County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 14.
Convictions on second-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by 5 to 10 years in state prison.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.