New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine’s sport utility vehicle was traveling 91 mph in a 65-mph zone seconds before last week’s car wreck that left him critically injured, state police said Tuesday.
The vehicle, driven by state Trooper Robert Rasinski, had its emergency lights on Thursday, the statement said. It swerved to avoid a collision with a pickup and hit the end of a guard rail in the median at 30 mph, the statement said.
Corzine, who wasn’t wearing his seat belt, was thrown from the front seat to the back. A section of guard rail pierced the passenger door and entered the car. Corzine, 60, broke his left thigh bone in two places and fractured 12 ribs, his sternum and collarbone. He remains in critical yet stable condition after three operations on his leg.
The accident findings were based on witness interviews, tire tracks, damage assessments and the SUV’s black box, state police said.
Rasinski and Corzine’s aide, who were both wearing seat belts, suffered only minor injuries. Rasinski could be charged if investigators determine the crash was preventable, Superintendent of State Police Col. Rick Fuentes said.
