DRIVER CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER IN SINGLE-CAR CRASH THAT KILLED JERSEY CITY MAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Wednesday, August 25, 2021, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Regional Collision Investigation Unit arrested the driver in a fatal motor vehicle collision on Christopher Columbus Drive at the Merseles split that killed a 30-year-old Jersey City man in late February.

Jose Colon, age 31, of Jersey City, was arrested and charged at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City where he turned himself in with his attorney.  He was charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4(A)1, a crime of the first degree, and Vehicular Homicide/DWI On or Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5A and 2C:11-5B(3)(A), a crime of the first degree.

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Jersey City Police and the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit responded to a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred just before 3:30 a.m. on Christopher Columbus Drive near the Merseles Street split in Jersey City.

According to the initial investigation, the driver was traveling westbound on Columbus Drive approaching the roadway split when his vehicle, a 1996 Honda Civic, struck the attenuator-protected guard rail.  The passenger, later identified as Jesus Gonzalez, age 30, of Jersey City, was found in a lifeless condition at the scene. The driver was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center in critical condition.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department for the investigation and arrest.

The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).