Morristown driver pleads guilty in accident that injured blind woman

Rosel Martinez-Gonzalez, right, with his lawyer, Ludovico Aprigliano, in Morristown municipal court. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Rosel Martinez-Gonzalez, right, with his lawyer, Ludovico Aprigliano, in Morristown municipal court. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Rosel Martinez-Gonzalez, right, with his lawyer, Ludovico Aprigliano, in Morristown municipal court. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Rosel Martinez-Gonzalez, right, with his lawyer, Ludovico Aprigliano, in Morristown municipal court. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

By Kevin Coughlin

A Morristown man who backed his car into a blind woman last fall pled guilty on Thursday to unsafe operation of his vehicle.

The charge was downgraded from careless driving, which would have cost 25-year-old Rosel Martinez-Gonzalez two points on his driver’s license. Instead, Gonzalez paid $489 in fines and fees.

Victim Marilyn Rodda, who attended the hearing in Morristown Municipal Court with her Seeing Eye dog, Izzie, retains her right to pursue civil action under terms of the plea agreement.

Morristown Municipal Judge Gary Troxell. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown Municipal Judge Gary Troxell. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

She sustained six broken ribs and cuts and scrapes when she was struck on a Pine Street sidewalk on the morning of Nov. 28, 2015.  Gonzalez, who works at a local wireless store, was backing his Honda CRV from a driveway, according to police.

Rodda told Muncipal Judge Gary Troxell that she is on the mend. The judge said he’s experienced rib fractures, too.

“I know how painful they are. There’s not much that doctors can do for you, you just let them heal. I’m glad you’re up and about.”

Judge Gary Troxell hears from Marilyn Rodda, a blind pedestrian struck by a car backing from a driveway in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Judge Gary Troxell hears from Marilyn Rodda, a blind pedestrian struck by a car backing from a driveway in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Fortunately, Rodda’s guide dog was not injured or traumatized.

“The dog goes right past there like nothing happened, Rodda said later, referring to the accident location.

Rodda was one of three Morristown pedestrians hit by vehicles in a two-week span last November. Improved pedestrian safety is among the priorities set by Mayor Tim Dougherty for 2016.

Gonzalez declined to discuss the incident.

“It was an accident,” said his lawyer, Ludovico Aprigliano.

 

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