Driver Hits 2 Cars, Crashes Into Mercer Stop & Shop When Trying To Flee: Cops

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — An 18-year-old Pennington man was charged Friday after crashing his SUV into a Stop & Shop store entrance while attempting to flee an accident in the parking lot, Hopewell Police said.

Jaylen Roundtree was charged with unlawful taking of means of conveyance, eluding, and criminal mischief.

Around 12:10 p.m. on Friday, Roundtree was driving a 2023 white Genesis GV7 when he struck two parked vehicles at the Stop & Shop located at 800 Denow Road, Hopewell Police said.

Roundtree tried to speed away from the scene, but lost control of the vehicle and crashed into one of the support pillars at the store's entrance. He then abandoned the SUV and fled on foot, police said.

Officers conducted a search of the surrounding area and found Roundtree approximately a quarter mile from the crash site. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The two vehicles that were initially struck were unoccupied, and no pedestrians were harmed.

An inspection of the Stop & Shop building revealed no structural damage, and the store was deemed safe to continue operations, police said.

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