Injured in Oct. 9 accident in Brandon Farms
By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
Lloyd J. Brower III, 44, of Denow Road, Lawrenceville, has been charged with aggravated assault, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, driving under the influence, refusing to take a breath test and several other offenses.
These charges are the result of a motor vehicle accident involving two pedestrians on Oct. 9 in which a 70-year-old man and his granddaughter were hit by Mr. Brower’s out-of-control vehicle at the Denow-VanBrunt roads circle in Brandon Farms.
Mr. Brower has been remanded to the Mercer County Correction Center in default of $75,000 bail, according to Hopewell Township police Chief George C. Meyer. As of late Tuesday, Mr. Brower was still at the center.
Yuanheng Zhong, 70, of Blake Drive, Hopewell Grant, who was injured in the accident, was transported to the trauma center at Capitol Health System, Fuld Campus, where he was admitted with leg and head injuries. He underwent surgery for his leg injury, the chief said Monday. As of late Tuesday, he was still in the hospital being treated for leg, rib and head injuries.
Hopewell Township police officers responded to the incident at approximately 5:10 p.m.
Mr. Brower, who was driving east on Denow Road, lost control of his vehicle as he entered a roundabout (circle) at that intersection. The vehicle traveled almost completely around the roundabout and jumped the curb on the west side of Van Brunt Road. The vehicle then struck Mr. Zhong and his 9-month-old granddaughter, Aileen, who was in a stroller.
After striking them, the vehicle continued into a wooded area approximately 60 feet off of the roadway where it struck several trees. According to witnesses, the driver got out of the vehicle and fled into the woods, police said.
The stroller with Aileen still strapped inside was knocked approximately 10 feet from the sidewalk; the front wheels were broken off of it. Mr. Zhong ended up approximately 30 feet from the sidewalk, behind the vehicle.
Aileen and her grandfather were taken to the trauma center at Capitol Health System, Fuld Campus, by the Pennington First Aid Squad and the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Unit.
”Aileen received bumps and bruises and following an examination at the hospital, miraculously, she was found to have no serious injuries,” said the chief. She was checked out and released the night of Oct. 9.
Officers were able to locate Mr. Brower several streets away from the crash site, with the assistance of an off-duty Lawrence Township police officer, approximately 30 minutes later. Mr. Brower was immediately taken into custody.
Patrol Officer Louis Vastola is investigating the crash assisted by Detective Kevin Zorn and Detective Anthony Abarno of the Mercer County prosecutor’s office.
Area roadways were closed for several hours. The Pennington Fire Company assisted by providing lights at the scene as the investigation was conducted.

