By Amy Batista, Special Writer
CRANBURY — An East Brunswick woman was charged with careless driving and failure to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk after allegedly striking a 13-year-old girl on North Main Street earlier this month.
The driver of the vehicle, Seema Basi, 38, of East Brunswick, allegedly struck the 13-year-old Cranbury resident while she was crossing North Main Street in the crosswalk at Schoolhouse Lane around 9:07 a.m. July 12, according to police.
”She was nearly halfway through the intersection when she was struck by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee,” said police Chief Rickey Varga.
Chief Varga said the teenage girl was walking alone in the crosswalk when she was hit, knocking her shoes off.
”The girl was struck fairly hard and (received) what appeared to be minor injuries,” Chief Varga said.
Several passers-by witnessed the incident, according to Chief Varga.
The Cranbury First Aid Squad transported the girl to University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro where she was treated for scrapes and bruises to her lower legs, hip and arms, Chief Varga said.
Chief Varga said police believe the cause of the accident was related to the driver being distracted and not paying proper attention to the road.
”Distracted and inattentive driving seems to be the contributing circumstances to the accident,” Mr. Varga said.
Cranbury police now areurging residents to use caution when crossing the street after the teenager was struck.
”Although we are very aggressive in our enforcement efforts we urge residents to use caution when crossing roadways,” Chief Varga said. “All it takes is but a few seconds for a driver to take their eyes from the road for a terrible tragedy to occur.”
It is the state law to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk.
Motorists in New Jersey must stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Penalties for not yielding to pedestrians can include two points on the driver’s license, a $200 fine plus court costs, up to 15 days community service and insurance surcharges, according to the state.

