Shocking video shows the moments a New Jersey city councilwoman allegedly plowed into a cyclist while speeding through an intersection and continued on in an apparent accident.
Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise is accused of failing to slow down or stop her car after hitting the bicyclist at the intersection of Forrest Street and Martin Luther King Drive last week. Traffic camera video released by city officials Tuesday afternoon shows the black SUV DeGise was allegedly driving hit a man on a bicycle in the middle of the intersection on July 19 without ever slowing down before leaving the scene. The man, wearing a helmet, backpack, yellow shirt and jean shorts, flipped and slid through the windshield and onto the pavement after the impact. The video shows him slowly getting up afterwards, his crumpled bike lying on the opposite side of the road. NEW JERSEY PAYING CITIZENS TO BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLES Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise has so far refused calls to resign following an accident involving 29-year-old cyclist Andrew Black. (Brochure from the Jersey City Mayors Office) The bicyclist, identified as 29-year-old Andrew Black, told police he had the green light and the right of way, NJ.com reported, citing a crash report. In an interview with HudPost.com, Black reiterated that he had the right of way and said he suffered deep bruises and stress crossing the street after the incident. WNBC reported that officials later said Black was at fault and didn’t have the go-ahead, but DeGise still faces mounting calls to resign because she kept leaving the scene of the crash. “[That] someone in authority would stoop to a point where they would ignore the law they are required to uphold and try to clean up our streets or whatever they call it, they can’t even do it themselves – that really upsets me.” Black told HudPost on Tuesday. Despite the criticism, a spokesperson for DeGise told news outlets Friday that the councilwoman will not resign. “Councilwoman DeGise was overwhelmingly elected just a few months ago and has no intention of abandoning her commitment to serve the people of Jersey City. She will not resign and plans to complete her term and continue in public service.” DeGise’s spokesman, Phil Swibinski, said in a statement obtained by Patch.com. Jersey City Councilwoman At Large Amy DeGise is seen in the official photo. (Jersey City) “Amy recognizes the calls that have been made for additional information and transparency,” Swibinski said. “He would love to address this situation more fully, but there is a legal process that needs to be done first and he will not be making any additional public comment at this time.” The statement added: “As she has said before, she is grateful that no one was seriously injured and fully intends to speak more when the legal process is complete. She will continue to work hard to serve the people who elected her, just as she has since taking office in January”. In an interview with NJ Spotlight News on Monday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop criticized DeGise’s move to leave the crash site, describing it as a “huge mistake.” Fulop added, however, that DeGise took some responsibility for the incident. The councilwoman claimed she hit her head during the collision and went to a police station several hours later to report the incident after leaving the scene. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to Amy DeGise and her assistants Thursday for additional comment, but has not heard back since Sunday. Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace.