HUDSON COUNTY REGIONAL COLLISION INVESTIGATION UNIT ARRESTS DRIVER IN FATAL CRASH THAT KILLED 26-YEAR-OLD MAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has charged the driver in a fatal July 4th hit and run in Jersey City that killed a 26-year-old man.

Evans Severe, 29, of Jersey City, has been charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, a crime of the second degree. Severe was arrested at his home in Jersey City shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

On July 4, at approximately 3:56 a.m., Jersey City Police responded to the area of Hopkins Avenue just east of Summit Avenue on reports of a pedestrian struck with life-threatening injuries.

The victim, later identified as Shawn Charles, 26 of Jersey City, was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 4:28 a.m.

According to the initial investigation, the victim was standing outside of a home on Summit Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle backing up and leaving the area. The driver initially left the scene, but returned shortly after.

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