Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

No Charges for Jersey City Driver Who Killed Jeremiah Grant, 8, and Left Scene

Jeremiah Grant

A driver killed an 8-year-old boy in Jersey City Saturday afternoon. Though the motorist struck a child with deadly force and reportedly attempted to drive away before witnesses prevented him from leaving the scene, police filed no charges.

Jeremiah Grant, a jump rope champion whose team has appeared on national television, was struck by a 60-year-old man in a Jeep SUV at Christopher Columbus Drive and Grove Street at around 4:45 p.m.

The motorist, whose name was withheld, was chased down by witnesses half a block from the collision.

"I heard the screaming,” Jose Pimento told WABC, “so I noticed the guy was pulling away, so I ran after him and was able to stop the guy on foot.”

Pimento said the driver “seemed dazed” and “said he felt like he went over a bookbag.“

"He said he didn't see the kid,” another witness said.

WABC reporter CeFaan Kim made no mention of the driver's actions before the collision, but said the victim was walking with other children when he “rushed across the street.”

It is typical for police and the media to blame children for traffic crashes and downplay the behavior of adults operating multi-ton vehicles.

In a DIY video posted with his story, Kim went to some lengths to hypothesize that the driver who killed Jeremiah probably was not trying to flee, since he did not speed away from the point of impact. “Police say the driver remained on scene,” Kim reported, “and they are not calling it a hit-and-run.”

While crash investigators and Kim defend the driver, Jeremiah Grant is no longer alive to give his side of the story.

An online fundraising campaign has been established for Jeremiah’s family.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Appeals Court Halts Adams’s Impending Bedford Ave. Protected Bike Lane Demolition

The judge's ruling came just as the city was set to begin the bike lane demolition process Tuesday evening.

July 15, 2025

New Yorkers Threaten Legal Action If Eric Adams Makes Bedford Ave. Less Safe for Cyclists

Brooklyn cyclists pledged to sue the city if they are killed or injured on Bedford Avenue after Mayor Adams makes it less safe.

July 15, 2025

E-Bike Fans and Foes Agree: Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit Won’t Make Streets Safer

A public hearing about the mayor's proposed speed limit devolved into a debate about e-bike licensing, naturally.

July 15, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Wet Wet Wet Edition

New York City experienced its second rainiest hour in history. Plus more news.

July 15, 2025

Civic Panel Dings Adams For Cutting Bike and Bus Lanes Out of Fifth Av. Redesign

Mayor Adams's scaled down redesign of Fifth Avenue isn't a "real solution" to safety issues on the packed retail corridor, Manhattan Community Board 5 said.

July 14, 2025
See all posts