N.J. road-rage victim dies from injuries
The pregnant woman suffered brain trauma after an angry driver struck her with his SUV on Aug. 1, police said. He was charged with murder.
A pregnant South Jersey woman who was run down by an enraged motorist's SUV as her horrified husband watched has died of her injuries, police said.
Rosa Maguire, 27, received severe brain injuries when she was struck Aug. 1 by an SUV driven by a man who had been freed on bail the day before.
The Cumberland County woman, who was three months pregnant, died Thursday night in Atlantic City at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, authorities said.
"It looks like the child was a victim as well," said Capt. Al Della Fave, spokesman for the New Jersey State Police. A hospital spokesman said he could not comment because of a request for privacy from the Maguire family.
Jack Yator, 22, of Port Norris, was charged with one count of murder and other offenses yesterday by Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald J. Casella. Other charges may be filed. Police said Yator affiliates with members of the violent Bloods gang.
The road rage attack began about 1 a.m. Aug. 1. Michael Maguire, a chef in Atlantic City, was returning home to the couple's Commercial Township home, said the Maguires' attorney, Andrew Cafiero.
As Maguire drove his sedan down Doris Drive, he almost hit Yator's 2001 Ford Explorer as it was pulling out of a driveway, Della Fave said.
Yator sped after Maguire and tailgated the sedan for more than two miles to Maguire's house in Laurel Lake, Della Fave said. Maguire pulled into the driveway of his home.
Yator backed his SUV into the driveway and spun his tires, spraying Maguire's car with gravel and debris. Then Yator sped off down a dead-end street, Della Fave said.
Drawn from the house by the commotion, Rosa Maguire got into her husband's car and the couple followed Yator down narrow Sandalwood Road. The Maguires blocked the SUV's escape with their car, Della Fave said.
Rosa Maguire got out and stood between the sedan and a tree. Yator gunned the engine and drove the SUV over her, Della Fave said.
Millville police captured Yator after chasing the SUV, then Yator, on foot, Della Fave said.
Yator had been jailed July 31 on criminal mischief charges after he slammed a baseball bat into a neighbor's pickup truck, causing about $2,000 in damage, authorities said.
Hours before Rosa Maguire was run over, he posted $5,000 bail and was released.
Yator is now jailed on $500,000 bail at the Cumberland County jail.
State police yesterday warned motorists to leave the capturing of road rage offenders to the professionals.
"I don't know how many times we have advised people not to get involved with road rage incidents," Della Fave said. "If it happens to you, get a licence plate and get away as quickly as possible. Then call us."