Michael O’Connell, a highly respected attorney and lobbyist from Belmar, was struck and killed on October 19 in a crosswalk in downtown Nashville, The Tennessean reported. He was 58.
The newspaper reported that O’Donnell was hit by a pickup truck around 1 AM Saturday after a green light indicated he could cross. A preliminary probe showed he had a green light but failed to yield to O’Connell.
Witnesses said the driver, 26-year-old Joey Nixon, had been “spinning the truck’s tires and speeding before the accident.” Police said Nixon showed no signs of impairment; he initially left the accident scene and then returned.
O’Connell is a partner Pringle Quinn Anzano, where he was part of their government and regulatory affairs practice. He lobbies at the state and federal levels.
He was the Bradley Beach assistant borough attorney, and has worked in the Edison, Franklin and Rahway law departments. O’Connell has been a trial counsel for the Central Jersey Joint Insurance Fund and the Monmouth County Joint Insurance Fund and a special litigation counsel in Sayreville.
Prior to joining his current firm, he was an associate at DeCotiis, FitzPartick & Cole and at Karcher Rainone. He clerked for two Superior Court Judges.