Manchester Woman Killed Trying To Cross Parkway In Montvale

Authorities say a pedestrian who was fatally struck as she tried to cross the Garden State Parkway in northern New Jersey had survived a severe beating from her former boyfriend several years ago.

State Police Sgt. Brian Polite tells The Record that 26-year-old Cristall Vaccarella of Manchester was struck by several cars late Thursday as she walked across the northbound lanes in Montvale. Most of the cars fled, but the driver of the first car that hit her remained at the scene and likely won't face charges.

It's not known why Vaccarella was crossing the highway.

The newspaper reports Vaccarella was severely beaten in a Wayne hotel room in 2005. She was hospitalized for several weeks, then underwent months of physical therapy to regain the use of her legs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)