The two had been riding in the car together until they started arguing.
DUNELLEN -- A 27-year-old borough man has been charged with intentionally driving his car into another man Wednesday night, leaving him in critical condition.
Eric Locke was charged with aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury and failure to render aid to the 25-year-old man, of South Bound Brook, according to a statement from the county prosecutor's office.
The 25-year-old -- whose identity was not released by officials -- was a passenger in Locke's car, a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, Wednesday night when the two started arguing. The 25-year-old man got out of the car and began walking on Orange Street, near Columbia Park, when he was hit by the car, the statement said.
Locke allegedly fled the scene but was ultimately found by police, who charged him with the assault.
Shawn Leyden, 43, lives on Orange Street and said at around 11 p.m. Wednesday, his wife heard a "loud boom" from upstairs. He rushed to the window and said he saw a man trapped under a car.
"He ended up underneath the backside tire," said Leyden, referring to the victim.
Leyden said the victim was lying motionless on the ground for a while and then began trying to get up off the ground.
"But he was hurt -- his head was covered in blood, and both knees were bleeding," he recalled.The 25-year-old was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Authorities had reported Thursday morning that a child had been struck in the borough overnight.
The investigation is continuing, the statement said. Anyone with information can contact the Dunellen Police Department at 732-968-3000, ext. 230, or the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-8842.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.