A Jackson Township man has filed a personal injury lawsuit alleging he was seriously injured when he was struck by a township-owned vehicle while riding his bicycle in 2023.
The suit, filed in the Ocean County Law Division of the New Jersey Superior Court, was brought by Edivaldo Orechio Dos Reis against the Township of Jackson, Jackson Code Enforcement, a township employee identified as Steven Jobman, several unnamed defendants, and GEICO.
According to the complaint, Dos Reis alleges that on July 25, 2023, he was riding his bicycle on Cambridge Drive in Jackson when he was struck by a white SUV owned by the township and operated by a code enforcement employee. The lawsuit claims the vehicle was partially positioned in a driveway and partially on a sidewalk before entering the roadway and colliding with his bicycle.
The plaintiff alleges that the driver briefly exited the vehicle, provided a false name, and then left the scene. The complaint contends that the driver acted negligently by failing to yield, failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle, and failing to operate the vehicle in a safe and prudent manner.
Dos Reis says he sustained serious and permanent injuries as a result of the crash, including ongoing physical and emotional harm. He is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future medical care.
The case is now proceeding through the discovery phase, during which both sides exchange documents and evidence.