Paterson Councilman Faces Lawsuits Over Crash
Two people have sued 5th Ward Councilman Luis Velez over injuries they say they suffered in a May 2025 collision.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Accidents
Paterson 5th Ward Councilman Luis Velez drove through a red light and collided with a sedan on May 12, 2025, and was issued a ticket for the violation. Knolaisha Washington and Jahvon Parker have since filed lawsuits against Velez over injuries they attribute to the crash.
Why it matters
The lawsuits raise questions about accountability for a sitting city official involved in a traffic collision in his own ward. Allegations that Velez was drinking, which he denied, add a contested element that the suits may help clarify.
Velez was issued a ticket for running the red light, and both civil suits demand a jury trial and seek damages, interest, and legal fees. Whether Velez had been drinking, as Washington alleged on body camera footage, remains disputed, with Velez answering 'Of course not' in a later NBC interview.
The players
Luis Velez
Luis Velez is the councilman representing Paterson's 5th Ward, and he has denied drinking before the crash.
Knolaisha Washington
Knolaisha Washington is the driver of the sedan who filed a lawsuit alleging permanent injuries from the collision.
Jahvon Parker
Jahvon Parker is a plaintiff who filed a lawsuit alleging severe injuries and lost wages from the crash.
The details
Velez was driving his SUV southbound on Madison Avenue when it struck Washington's sedan traveling on 12th Avenue. Washington alleges permanent injuries and lost wages, while Parker alleges severe injuries and lost wages, and both lawsuits seek damages.
Timeline
May 12, 2025: Velez's SUV collided with Washington's sedan at about 1:43 a.m.
October 23, 2025: Washington filed her lawsuit against Velez.
April 2026: Parker filed his lawsuit against Velez.
Legal Context
The civil suits fall under New Jersey's personal injury framework, which allows injured parties to seek damages from drivers in negligence cases, including elected officials. The case highlights how traffic violations by public officials are handled through both criminal citations and separate civil claims.
Residents of Paterson's 5th Ward have an elected representative now facing two civil suits tied to a traffic crash. The outcome may affect how the city's officials are held to account for driving conduct.
The takeaway
Civil claims can proceed independently of traffic citations, so an official's ticket does not resolve a victim's right to seek damages. Readers following local government should watch whether the lawsuits advance to trial.
Further reading
For more on similar local incidents, browse the Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
