Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Michael Gilyard, 33, of East Orange has been indicted in connection with the death of Fred Atterberry, 45, of East Orange.
An Essex County Grand Jury returned a three-count indictment charging Gilyard with leaving the scene of an accident, causing a death while driving with a suspended license, and endangering an injured victim.
On Feb. 5, 2012 at approximately 11:54 pm, a male later identified as Mr. Atterberry was struck crossing Grove Street at the intersection of Sussex Avenue in East Orange. The vehicle that struck the victim did not stop. It continued to travel onto 280 westbound.
East Orange emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. They transported Mr. Atterberry to University Hospital in Newark where he was pronounced dead at 2:53 am on Feb. 6, 2012. A witness reported seeing a grey Dodge pickup truck strike the pedestrian and continue onto Route 280. That witness provided law enforcement with a driver’s license plate number. The truck was later discovered with damage consistent with a front end pedestrian collision, leading to charges against Gilyard.
Gilyard is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in the indictment on May 25 before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C.
These charges are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
