GOP gov. candidate Chris Christie not issued traffic ticket after accident that injured motorcyclist

[ccharles000]

Adding to Chris Christie's campaign trail headaches over his driving record, officials in Elizabeth confirmed tonight the Republican gubernatorial candidate was in a traffic accident that injured a motorcyclist in the city in 2002.

Christie, then the U.S. attorney, was on his way to the swearing-in of the Union County prosecutor and was not issued a ticket for the July 26, 2002 incident, Police Director James Cosgrove said.

Details about the accident came to light today as Democrats continue to hammer Christie over his driving record and accuse him of misusing his office as a federal prosecutor.

"This was an unfortunate accident and just like a lot of us, Chris knows he can always be a better driver," said Maria Comella, a campaign spokeswoman.

Christie was driving a rented BMW sedan and apparently had lost his way when he attempted to turn right onto a street that was one-way in the other direction, according to the police report. A motorcyclist, Andre Mendonca of Elizabeth, was riding towards Christie, and both men saw one another and put on the brakes, police said. Christie's vehicle came to a stop, and the motorcycle then "fell on its side and slid into his vehicle," according to the police report.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/gop_gov_candidate_chris_christ_2.html