The lawsuit and the government defendants
Amaris Gantt filed a civil complaint in Bergen County Superior Court on September 8, alleging that Nicholas Mutterer struck her with a Ford F-250 while turning onto Essex Street near State Street in Hackensack on January 30. The complaint says Gantt was crossing lawfully and sustained severe, permanent injuries. Daily Voice reported that the defendants are Mutterer, the City of Hackensack, Bergen County and the State of New Jersey. The filing alleges that Mutterer drove inattentively, negligently, carelessly and recklessly, and that one or more public defendants owned or insured the truck or allowed him to operate it, according to the outlet’s report.
The complaint says Gantt has undergone medical treatment, incurred more than $3,600 in medical expenses and expects further costs. It also describes pain, anguish, a permanent loss of bodily function and lost time from her ordinary activities and occupations. She seeks damages, interest and costs and requested a jury trial; the filing does not state a specific dollar demand, Daily Voice reported.
Why the case was filed months after the crash
The timing reflects New Jersey’s Tort Claims Act, which governs claims against public entities and employees. A claimant generally must serve a notice of claim within 90 days, then wait six months before filing suit, according to the Law Office of Alexander Schachtel. Gantt’s complaint says she served the required notice and that more than six months passed without the government defendants satisfying the claim.
Mutterer’s separate driving record
The crash itself did not result in criminal or traffic charges against Mutterer, according to the lawsuit and the reporting cited above. New Jersey judiciary records described by Daily Voice show other recent cases: an April Riverdale matter involving DWI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, reckless driving, speeding 20 to 24 mph above the limit and eluding; a March 2026 speeding citation in Pequannock; an Oakland unsafe-operation citation from June 2025; Oakland careless-driving and other motor-vehicle citations from June 2024; and a July 2022 Glen Rock careless-driving citation and probationary-license violation. The Riverdale eluding allegation states that the conduct created a risk of death or injury. Under the explanation provided by LS&P Lawyers, that circumstance can make eluding a second-degree offense carrying five to 10 years in prison.
Employment, firefighter status and responses
Mutterer’s volunteer firefighting role is separate from the civil claim. Oakland Fire Department records list him as an active volunteer assigned to Company 1, and Oakland Borough Administrator Richard Kunze told Daily Voice that the lawsuit does not concern that work. The outlet reported that Mutterer was on a leave of absence as of Tuesday. Hackensack DPW Superintendent Jesse D’Amore, city spokesperson Frank Borelli and Bergen County spokesman Derek Sands did not respond to Daily Voice requests for comment.
The lawsuit will now proceed through civil litigation and discovery. Its allegations have not been adjudicated, and the complaint’s account of the collision and injuries remains the plaintiff’s position.
