Jersey City Councilwoman Allegedly Hits Cyclist With SUV And Drives Off, Video Footage Reveals

New Jersey councilwoman Amy DeGise is facing calls to resign after an incident that involved her hitting a bicyclist with her SUV on July 19 was caught on camera. DeGise reportedly did not slow down to help the downed cyclist when she struck him while going through the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive. The impact on her Nissan Rogue sent the rider flying onto the pavement.

Based on footage that was captured on the city’s closed-circuit cameras around 8 a.m., Andrew Black, 31 was seen hitting the pavement after being struck by DeGise’s vehicle. He appeared shaken and dazed as he managed to get back up on his feet. In an interview with Black, he claimed that his lane had the green light although, officials say he was mistaken about this, NBC New York reported.

Black recalled hitting the hood of DeGise's SUV as he pedaled off. The collision sent him flying and rolling over the ground, which despite the nearly head-on impact only left him with some deep bruising and no major physical injuries. The rider was assisted by locals and being a faithful Mormon, he attributes his brush with death had much to do with divine intervention.

However, it was not so much who had the right of way at the time that have gotten people riled up over the incident. It was the fact that DeGise intentionally did not bother to slow down or stop to check on the rider. The councilwoman has been the subject of disdain from other fellow councilmembers who have seen the footage.

"Past being elected it's a living human being, it was really hard for me to witness that,” Councilman Frank Gilmore commented. Councilmember James Solomon also shared his sentiment about the video and said, "The word I use is horrified, that’s how I felt watching the video. She's an elected official and we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard and that’s why I think she should resign,” he added.

Being the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, many expected the councilwoman to have acted under the norm of public trust, respect and human decency. This is not a first or unique case for the president of Safe Streets JC, Jimmy Lee as he described the incident as criminal and inhumane. Despite calls for the councilwoman to resign from her position, DeGise has not been available to comment about the matter. She now faces charges of failure to report an accident and leaving the scene of an accident.