Hard-Fought N.J. Governor Race Puts Ex-US Attorney’s Driving Record at Issue

A hard-fought campaign for the office of New Jersey governor has put the driving records of two major party candidates under a spotlight. And, since one of them is a former U.S. attorney for the state, questions have been raised about whether his role as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor helped Chris Christie avoid a ticket for at a 2002 accident, reports the Star-Ledger.

Christie, who was headed to a state prosecutor's swearing-in at the time, was allowed to continue to the event after turning the wrong way onto a one-way street; a motorist subsequently "fell on its side and slid into his vehicle" while braking to avoid Christie's vehicle, according to a police report of the accident. Christie's rented BMW sedan was towed from the scene but he wasn't ticketed. He reportedly identified himself to responding Elizabeth police as the U.S. attorney for the state.

The motorcylist was taken to the hospital and later filed a civil suit over the accident, which was later dismissed. The records do not specify whether the case was settled, according to the Associated Press.

The accident is reportedly one of six that Christie has had over the past 25 years. He has not been ticketed concerning any of them, the AP reported.

Related earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Federal Prosecutor Resigns After $46K Loan from Boss Is Revealed"