FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Friday, January 26, 2017
DRIVER ARRESTED IN TUESDAY’S FATAL HIT-AND-RUN IN JERSEY CITY
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the following information:
On Thursday, January 24, 2018, in the late afternoon, the suspected driver involved in the fatal hit-and-run that occurred in Jersey City earlier this week was arrested by members of the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit.
The suspected driver, Oriental J. Hamlet, age 19, of Jersey City, was charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4; Death by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5; Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1; Driving While Unlicensed and Causing Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:40-22; Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2; Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7; Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1; and Resisting Arrest by Flight in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at approximately 4:30 a.m., a pedestrian was struck near the intersection of Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City. The victim, Umar King, age 33, of Jersey City, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 5:00 a.m.
The initial investigation revealed that the striking vehicle, a 2005 Toyota 4-Runner, was reported stolen out of Jersey City on January 19, 2018. A marked Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer spotted the car speeding south on Kennedy Boulevard. The officer attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, but the car began speeding away from the sheriff’s officer. The car sped through multiple red lights.
The stolen car then sped through a red light at the intersection of Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard where it struck a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. After hitting that car, the stolen Toyota 4-Runner crashed into a bus-stop shelter, where King was standing. After coming to a stop, the driver of the stolen car, as well as two other occupants of the car, fled on foot.
One of the occupants of the stolen car, a 16-year-old male, was stopped a short distance away and detained. The detained juvenile was transported to JCMC for treatment of minor injuries before being transported to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for questioning. To date, no charges have been filed against the juvenile.
The driver of the Lincoln MKZ sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he was treated and released.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the newly formed Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit with the investigation and the arrest. She also credited Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office detectives, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, the Secaucus Police Department and the Maywood K-9 Unit for their assistance in the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information about the collision is asked to contact law enforcement at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/ . All information will be kept confidential.