Newark, NJ resident Ronaldo Godwin was charged with causing a fatal two-vehicle collision on the Garden State Parkway, and then trying to cover it up.
The investigation into the case was led by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. At approximately 2:45 am on February 15, 2021, members of the New Jersey State Police were dispatched to mile marker 136 in the southbound lane on the Garden State Parkway in Clark, NJ. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Meikle’s vehicle engulfed in flames as well as Godwin’s vehicle which had overturned on the shoulder.
Meikle was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:35 a.m., while Godwin was transported to University Hospital in Newark for emergency treatment. After a thorough investigation was conducted, it was revealed that Godwin had struck Meikle from behind at a high rate of speed, causing the collision, and when a good Samaritan motorist pulled over to help, Godwin asked the motorist to transported him away from the scene. Godwin had prepared to offer him a reward in exchange.
Ronaldo Godwin was charged with second-degree death by auto and second-degree witness tampering. Godwin has been discharged from the hospital and lodged at the Union County Jail awaiting his first appearance and detention hearing in Union County Superior Court. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to contact New Jersey State Police Detective Nagib Saad at 732-441-4500, Ext. 3434. These charges are accusations, and the defendant will remain innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution into the case will be led by Lyndsay V. Ruotolo.
