Authorities say they are investigating the chase.
The scene of the strike. (Vernal Coleman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) NEWARK -- The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a Newark police chase that ended in the death of a 3-year-old child, authorities confirmed Friday morning.
According to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly, a Newark police car was pursuing a male suspect driving in the area of 15th Avenue and South 7th Street Friday morning when the suspect's car fatally struck the 3-year-old.
Authorities are currently investigating the police pursuit and the fatal crash, Fennelly said. No other information about the suspect or the child was immediately available.
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According to Bishop Jethro James, pastor of nearby Paradise Baptist Church, the incident was not the result of a high-speed chase. James said he spoke to authorities at the scene, who said the suspect's car sped up at the intersection, struck a tree and then the small child.
The neighborhood in which the crash took place is home to several schools, including the Marion P Thomas Charter School. It's also one in which many young families live, James added.
James Stewart, president of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police, said the suspect driver is wanted on a warrant issued earlier this year. After being spotted by the Newark police officers involved in the pursuit, the suspect fled and then struck the child, Stewart said.
"Our officers are devastated and our hearts go out to the family," Stewart said.
Authorities are currently investigating the strike and the chase that led up to it, Fennelly said. No other information about the suspect or the child was immediately available.
The incident marks the latest in a set of several Newark police chases that have ended in injuries or deaths.
On Aug. 27, a 79-year-old woman walking her dog was seriously injured when a car being pursued by Newark police hit her. On Sept. 1, a teenage carjacking suspect was struck and killed by a police car pursuing him. The next day, two people suffered minor injuries when an allegedly stolen car being pursued by police hit their car.
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