The 22-year-old Newark man who allegedly struck and killed a three-year-old child in a chase with Newark police has been charged with vehicular homicide.
The driver of the car that killed 3-year-old Rahmere Tullis during a chase with Newark police has been charged with vehicular homicide (Vernal Coleman|NJ Advance Media). NEWARK -- The 22-year-old city resident who allegedly struck and killed a 3-year-old child in a morning chase with Newark police has been arrested and charged, authorities said Friday.
Troy Ruff, 22, of Newark, now faces charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and eluding police, announced Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray.
According to authorities, Ruff was driving the car that killed Rahmere Tullis.
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Authorities said Tullis was walking on the sidewalk with his mother near the intersection of 15th Avenue and South 7th Street Friday morning when a Hyundai Sonata allegedly driven by Ruff hopped the curb, striking the 3-year-old. Tullis was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Hours after the incident, details of the police chase that preceded the crash remain scarce. But authorities said that at roughly 7:40 a.m., Newark police officers from the department's Fugitive Apprehension Team attempted to apprehend Ruff.
According to authorities, Ruff is wanted on a May warrant for aggravated assault and other weapon-related charges. Authorities said Ruff attempted to flee after attempts by police to pull over his vehicle failed.
Witnesses at the scene who declined to be named said the Sonata swerved as it traveled on 15th Avenue, striking a tree and the three-year-old victim.
Ruff was arrested and taken into custody following the crash, authorities said. His bail has been set at $500,000, authorities said. Ruff is also facing charges from the May incident.
Tullis' death and the police chase the proceeded it are now being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and Professional Standards Bureau.
Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
