Police seek fugitive accused in accident that killed boy

Staff Writer

By vincent todaro

EAST BRUNSWICK— Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man accused of causing the Christmas Eve accident that resulted in the death of a 9-year-old township boy.

Police are looking for Rizwan Chaudhary, 23, of the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, who is wanted on charges of vehicular homicide, causing injury and death while driving with a suspended license, and making false statements to police.

Chaudhary is alleged to be responsible for the accident, which occurred at about 7 p.m. at the intersection of Ryders Lane and Corona Road. The accident resulted in the death of Thomas Jung Lee, a third-grader at the Lawrence Brook School who was traveling in a Ford Windstar minivan driven by his mother. The two were on their way to church.

His mother, Young Lee, 40, suffered a pelvic fracture in the accident.

Sgt. Russell MacArthur of the East Brunswick Police Department said police have been in contact with Chaudhary’s relatives, who reportedly claimed he was in Pennsylvania. However, relatives there told police he is in Texas.

Chaudhary, an American citizen of Pakistani origin, MacArthur said, is believed to still be in the country.

The lone passenger in Chaudhary’s car, Vaibay Batra, 19, is a resident of India and has returned to that country, MacArthur said.

Chaudhary was taken to the hospital the night of the crash with chest and foot injuries. Police did not charge him at the time, but did begin an investigation.

MacArthur said a speed evaluation, based on skid marks at the scene, determined how fast Chaudhary was going. A warrant for his arrest was issued by a Superior Court judge on Jan. 22.

After the accident, police sought a third vehicle that officials said may have been involved. However, MacArthur said the vehicle turned out to be a second car occupied by co-workers from the Taco Bell where Chaudhary worked. They were not directly involved in the accident, he said, and have not been charged.