Trending Topics

Man on horseback helps N.J. police department locate hit-and-run driver

The man, who identified himself to police only as PJ, followed the car on his horse Shiny as the driver fled and was able to obtain a partial license plate, the Riverside PD said

Affiliate Article 1 thumbnail - JP - 2025-06-04T165842.733.png

Riverside Police Department

By Jeff Goldman
nj.com

RIVERSIDE, N.J. — A man riding a horse through Riverside on Saturday morning helped police find a hit-and-run driver that struck a parked car.

The man — who identified himself to police only as PJ — followed the car aboard his horse Shiny as the driver fled and was able to obtain a partial license plate, Riverside police said.

Investigators used that information to track down the driver and charge the 22-year-old with careless driving, driving without a license, failure to report an accident and leaving the scene of an accident.

PJ told officers he was in Riverside to show his horse to friends and witnessed the crash.

A woman who lives in the neighborhood called police when she heard the crash and saw a car speeding away from a damaged vehicle.

“We want to thank the witnesses in this case for being observant, coming forward, and making the calls to our officers,” Riverside police said. “We’d especially like to thank PJ and his sidekick ‘Shiny’ for their efforts to get us the information that ultimately solved the case.”

Trending
Major Kathryn Downey alleged that after she reported misconduct by another officer, that officer retaliated by accusing her of misconduct and spreading false rumors
Lt. Richard Mack’s orbital bone was broken when he was struck by at least two different protesters in a 2020 incident; one of the suspects was sentenced to community service
The juveniles told Newburgh Heights Police that they learned to steal the car by watching YouTube videos
“He pulled it out, pointed it right at my face and pulled it. The trigger just didn’t go off,” the Canton Police officer can be heard saying in body camera video

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.