By: Richard L. Smith
A tragic crash in East Orange on Saturday afternoon left a young father dead and his three-year-old son fighting for his life.
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said they received notification around 10:06 p.m. as 26-year-old Brian Hope of East Orange was crossing South Grove Street with his son.
A minivan struck both pedestrians before colliding with a box truck.
Hope was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
His son remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Officials said three passengers inside the minivan were also injured, along with the driver of the box truck.
Hope gave his own life to save his child’s by shielding the young boy from the car.
The minivan’s driver, identified as 34-year-old Kadeem Robinson of Bloomfield, was taken into custody at the scene.
He now faces several charges, including:
• First-degree vehicular homicide within 1,000 feet of a school
• Two counts of second-degree assault by auto while driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school
• Fourth-degree assault by auto
The investigation remains active as police continue to review the circumstances surrounding the crash.