New Jersey: Family of Cliffside Park officer who was fatally struck by SUV files lawsuit

The parents of Stephen Petruzzello, a special police officer who was fatally struck by an SUV while on foot patrol last year, are suing the driver, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. and the unidentified owner or operator of another vehicle, claiming all three had a role in their son’s death.

Ronald and Linda Petruzzello, through their lawyer, filed a complaint in state Superior Court in Hackensack this week contending that the defendants were negligent or careless. They named as a defendant Anie Kalayjian, who drove the vehicle that struck their son. The Cliffside Park resident told a television station shortly after the incident that she did not see Petruzzello because he was wearing a dark uniform. Her lawyer, who was not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit Friday, said in January that his client pleaded not guilty to summonses related to reckless driving. She had not been charged with a crime.

In addition to the driver, PSE&G has been named a defendant in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs claim that the utility was told — and was contractually obligated — to install adequate lighting around the vicinity of Walker and John streets before the Dec. 27 accident.