FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
DATE: November 7, 2019
COLLISION UNIT ARRESTS DRIVER INVOLVED IN JERSEY CITY HIT-AND-RUN
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
A Jersey City man has been arrested and charged involving the hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian at the intersection of Christopher Columbus Drive and Grove Street in Jersey City on Halloween night. The collision resulted in the pedestrian being hospitalized with serious injuries.
The investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit determined that the striking vehicle was a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country minivan and that the vehicle was registered to Luis Rodriguez-Santana of Jersey City. The investigation also determined that Rodriguez-Santana was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the collision.
On November 6, 2019, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Luis Rodriguez-Santana, age 31, was arrested by members of the Regional Collision Investigation Unit. He was arrested without incident on Greene Street in Jersey City as he arrived to work.
Rodriguez-Santana was charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1, a third-degree crime. He has also been charged with a Title 39 violation, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Injuries.
Rodriguez-Santana was charged on a Complaint-Summons and released. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City at 1:00 p.m. on December 3, 2019.
On October 31, 2019, at approximately 11:05 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to the intersection of Christopher Columbus Drive and Grove Street in Jersey City on a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle at that location. Upon arrival, Jersey City Police Officers found that a male pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle that left the scene of the collision.
During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the pedestrian had been struck while attempting to cross Christopher Columbus Drive. The pedestrian was identified as a 36-year-old from Jersey City. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center by Emergency Medical Services where he was initially listed in critical condition with multiple injuries.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit for the investigation and arrest and the Jersey City Police Department for their assistance in the investigation. She also wished to thank the community at large for their assistance to the investigation.
The above charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).