Citizen drops complaint against N.J. governor for failing to wear seat belt

A self-described gadfly withdrew his complaint Tuesday against Gov. Jon S. Corzine for failing to wear a seat belt when he was critically injured in a highway crash. State police have not yet decided whether to ticket the governor.

The complaint filed by Larry Angel was withdrawn just as a judge was to decide whether to approve the complaint. Corzine was released from a hospital Monday and apologized for not wearing his seat belt when his official SUV crashed on April 12.

"The governor's statements of taking responsibility swayed him," said Roseanne Lugg, the Galloway court administrator. "That was all Mr. Angel was after."

Corzine asked for the state's forgiveness and said he understood he had set a poor example. "I'll work very hard to try to set the right kind of example to make a difference in people's lives as we go forward," he said Monday.

Since Angel withdrew the complaint, the pending court action was canceled, Lugg said.

"I was troubled initially that neither the governor nor anybody in his office seemed to take responsibility," Angel said Tuesday. "He obviously, if you listened to his statements, seemed to me to credibly take responsibility. I don't think those were crocodile tears or emotion on the part of the governor."

Angel, 65, is a frequent critic of public officials and has run unsuccessfully for office himself.

Angel's complaint had alleged Corzine violated state law by failing to wear his seat belt when his official vehicle, driven by a state trooper at 91 mph, crashed on the Garden State Parkway.

State law requires all front seat passengers wear a seat belt; Corzine was in the front passenger seat. Violators face a $46 fine, and Tom Shea, Corzine's chief of staff, has said the governor should be ticketed if he wasn't buckled up.

State Police Lt. Gerald Lewis said no decision would be made on whether to charge Corzine until an investigation is completed.

A special state police review board, which reviews all crashes and pursuits involving troopers, began investigating the accident Monday. If the crash is deemed preventable, Corzine's driver may face training or disciplinary actions.

New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner also has appointed a commission to study the State Police Executive Protection Unit that guards the governor. Rabner said hopes the group will make recommendations within two months, spokesman David Wald said.

Corzine fractured his left thigh, 11 ribs, his breastbone and other bones. Doctors operated on him three times and inserted a metal rod to stabilize his leg.

The state police report said he was thrown about inside the vehicle. His driver was not seriously injured.

After leaving the hospital Monday, Corzine was taken to the governor's mansion in Princeton, where he will undergo months of rehabilitation. Medical personnel said he is not likely to be able to walk without crutches or a cane for at least six months.

Corzine, a multimillionaire, is personally paying for his medical treatment.

The governor's mansion, parts of which date to 1835, is being modified to accommodate Corzine's rehabilitation and to allow him to conduct state business from there, though Senate President Richard J. Codey will continue serving as acting governor until Corzine is able to resume his duties.