FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 320-3550

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

DATE: Thursday, October 5, 2023

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED IN CONNECTION WITH FATAL COLLISION IN JERSEY CITY 

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has filed additional charges against the driver of a 2018 Audi involved in a fatal collision that occurred on Route 139 in Jersey City on Friday, September 1, 2023.

Gabriel Melo, age 22, of Newark, is charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a(1), a first-degree crime; Reckless Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4b(1), a second-degree crime; and Assault by Auto Resulting in Bodily Injury in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2), a fourth-degree crime. He was arrested at the Hudson County Correctional Facility where he is currently being detained from an initial charge relating to the collision. The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit initially arrested Melo on September 7, 2023, charging him with Death by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 2C:11-5a, a second-degree crime.

On September 1, 2023, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a motor vehicle collision in the area of the Routes 1 and 9 North ramp on Route 139 West. Upon arrival, responding officers located a tractor trailer and a 2018 Audi passenger vehicle that had been involved in a collision. The Audi was found on its roof with extensive damage.

All three occupants of the Audi were transported to Jersey City Medical Center by Emergency Medical Services for treatment. One passenger — Daniella Rosario, age 21, of Bloomfield — was pronounced dead shortly after 2:50 a.m. The 53-year-old male driver of the tractor trailer, who remained at the scene, was not injured in the collision.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with 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)