A group of New Jersey state representatives created a “Zack Alert” to notify the public when a person flees from an accident causing serious injuries or death. The lawmakers began pursuing the bill after 21-year-old Zackhary Simmons was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Hoboken in 2016; Zackhary’s Law was enacted in January 2020.

New Jersey lawmakers are considering creating a “Zack Alert” to notify the public when someone flees from a serious accident. The alert is named after 21-year-old Zack Simmons, who was killed by the driver of a black SUV.

“Lives could be saved because a driver would think twice about leaving a scene due to the knowledge of what a Zack Alert would do,” said family friend Jennifer Jordan.

The statewide alert would notify law enforcement, media and the public when a driver has left the scene of an accident where someone was killed or seriously injured.