Drunken driving charges filed against NYC man who allegedly hit 9 outside New Meadowlands

Hit and run near Meadowlands leaves 9 injured

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Authorities say a New York man drove into a crowd of people leaving a soccer match at the New Meadowlands Stadium, injuring nine people, including a 20-month-old baby.

State police say some victims were seriously hurt in the accident just before midnight Friday. Further details were not immediately available Saturday morning.

Detective Brian Polite says the people were crossing Route 120 when they were struck by a car driven by 21-year-old Frank Morocho of the Bronx. Morocho drove off but was later found in Wallington.

New Jersey state police have filed drunken driving and other charges against the man. He was being held at the Bergen County Jail on $50,000 bail, and authorities didn’t know whether he had retained a lawyer.

The accident occurred after the Mexico-Ecuador game, which drew a crowd of more than 77,000 to the first professional sporting event at the new facility.