2 brothers walking to school injured in hit and run in Sayreville, New Jersey

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Monday, May 2, 2016
2 brothers walking to school injured in hit and run in Sayreville, New Jersey
Mallory Hoff is live in Sayreville with the latest

SAYREVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Authorities say two brothers walking to school in New Jersey Monday morning were taken to a hospital after they were struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.

The boys, ages 5 and 8, were hit at 7:48 a.m. in front of Our Lady of Victories School on Main Street in Sayreville.

Police say the crossing guard was in the crosswalk holding up a stop sign, and the driver went right past the crossing guard and struck the children while they were in the crosswalk.

The driver fled the scene, but was later arrested.

The boys were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment. Police said the 8-year-old was released, but the 5-year-old remains hospitalized.

Investigators said the driver, 36-year-old Margaret Cheheli of Sayreville, abandoned her car and was walking down the sidewalk when officers caught up to her, police said. She was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving serious injury, endangering an injured victim by fleeing and tampering with evidence by tossing her keys after stopping her car.

Cheheli's bail was set at $100,000.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. John Bartlinski of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444.