HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP: Lawrence man indicted in Brandon circle hit-and-run

Brower’s vehicle struck 70-year-old Yuanheng Zhong and his granddaughter

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   A 44-year-old Lawrenceville man was indicted by a Mercer County grand jury recently for driving into a grandfather pushing his 9-month-old granddaughter in a stroller on Denow Road in Hopewell Township last October.
   Lloyd Brower III, 44, of Denow Road, Lawrenceville, was indicted on two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree assault by auto and one count of third-degree leaving the scene of an accident with injury. Each second-degree offense carries a penalty of five to 10 years in prison. Each third-degree offense carries a penalty of three to five years in prison.
   Superior Court spokeswoman Casey DiBlasio said it is alleged that on Oct. 9, Mr. Brower was operating his 2003 Ford Escape while under the influence of alcohol. He was driving east on Denow Road at 5:10 p.m. when his vehicle jumped the curb onto the sidewalk, striking 70-year-old Yuanheng Zhong and his granddaughter.
   After his vehicle ran into some trees, Mr. Brower fled the scene on foot. Hopewell Township police located him a few blocks away.
   Ms. Brower is free on $50,000 bail.
   Assistant Prosecutor Al Garcia presented the case to the grand jury.
   The baby was not seriously injured, police said.
   Mr. Zhong underwent surgery for a leg injury at Capitol Health System, Fuld Campus.
   He also sustained rib and head injuries from the accident, police said.