Attorney Charged With Dragging Victim With Car, Fleeing Scene

A Ridgewood lawyer was arrested Monday for allegedly dragging a person with his car in Ridgewood before fleeing the scene,  said.

Daniel McNerney, 49, of Kenwood Road, was charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim, and leaving the scene of an accident, Captain Jacqueline Luthcke said Wednesday. Luthcke characterized the victim's injuries as "serious" but did not offer any further detail.

Numerous sources say McNerney, whose practice includes personal injury representation, is the brother of former County Executive Dennis McNerney.

McNerney was arrested without incident at 6 a.m. in Ramsey, Luthcke said.

Police would not provide details about the incident, including where and when it occurred, or the condition of the alleged victim.

McNerney was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court's Office on Attorney Ethics to the District IIA Ethics Committee, according to his firm's website. He has been a public defender in Hackensack, Paramus, New Milford and Cresskill, and represented a 9/11 survivor, according to the site.

Calls seeking comment at McNerney's law office were not returned Wednesday night. Luthcke said McNerney is currently out on bail.