MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Morristown Police Chief Peter Demnitz can confirm an active investigation into a fatal hit and run that is alleged to have occurred on Wednesday, June 27, in Morristown.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Morristown Bureau of Police are currently investigating a fatality resulting from a hit and run vehicle collision that occurred on the night of June 27 in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue in Morristown.

Law enforcement were notified of an injured person believed to have been struck by a vehicle that then left the scene. The victim, later identified at Victor Padilla, Jr., 27, Morristown, ultimately succumbed to his injuries on July 7, 2018 at Morristown Medical Center.

The vehicle believed to have been involved in this incident was located by law enforcement shortly after this incident. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation.

There are no charges at this time, but the investigation is active and ongoing. Multiple other agencies have been assisting in this investigation, including the Morris Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, the Morristown Police Department at (973) 538-2200, or Morris County CrimeStoppers at www.copcall.org, 973-COP-CALL, or Text 274637 using keyword “MORRISTIP”.

PARSIPPANY — I was incredibly proud this year to support a slate of real Democratic candidates running under the banner of “Dover First” against the current members of Dover’s governing body, who are, for the most part, Republicans masquerading as Democrats. With the MCDC’s support, Dover First swept the primary election, winning nearly 60% of the vote town-wide against the Dodd Team.

Yesterday, despite a recount doubling our margin of victory in the key Fourth Ward, the Dodd Team continued their desperate attempt to retain power. Despite their overwhelming loss, they filed a legal challenge to the primary election results in the Fourth Ward, something almost unheard of after a five-point margin of victory.

It seems that finally, the Dodd Team has unmasked themselves for the Republicans they really are, as they are represented in the case by Morris County Republican leader Alan Zakin. Zakin has been the Executive Director of the Morris Republican Victory PAC and has been the attorney representing Republican candidates against us in most general election recounts over the years.

Carlos Valencia, our candidate in the Fourth Ward, worked tirelessly to meet with the voters of Dover and aspire to represent their issues on what has been an insular and unresponsive governing body. The fact of the matter is that, whether or not the Dodd Team wants to accept it, Carlos defeated incumbent Alderman Ron Camacho fair and square.

Alderman Camacho’s loss in a Democratic primary should not have been too surprising. He has run as a Republican in Dover in the past and has never lifted a finger to help fellow Democratic candidates on the ballot.

What is most bothersome, however, is the voter suppression tactics the Dodd Team is attempting to use to overturn the 4^th Ward election results. Their claims of voters casting ballots illegally come straight from the Donald Trump Republican playbook.

The voters of Dover should have no fear, particularly from their municipal government, about going to the polls on Election Day. Whether you vote in person or by mail, your voice matters and your vote should count. The MCDC stands firm in support of all eligible citizens in Dover being allowed to cast their ballots without fear and we will do whatever is necessary to protect every one of those voters.

Chip Robinson
Chairman, Morris County Democratic Committee