HUDSON COUNTY REGIONAL COLLISION INVESTIGTION UNIT ARRESTS DRIVER IN FATAL HIT AND RUN THAT KILLED JERSEY CITY MAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has arrested and charged the driver in a fatal hit and run in Bayonne that killed a 50-year-old Jersey City man Thursday night.

James Nichols, 50, of Bayonne, 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. Nichols was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020.

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, members of the Bayonne Police Department responded to Avenue C and the area of 25th Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. on reports of a pedestrian struck with life-threatening injuries. The victim, a 50-year-old Jersey City man, later identified as John Hagans, was pronounced deceased at 10:41 p.m. at the scene.

According to the initial investigation, the victim was attempting to cross Avenue C when he was struck by a dark-colored vehicle that was traveling southbound on Avenue C. The driver fled the scene. Moments later, a NJ Transit bus ran over the victim who was already on the ground at the time and notified police.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Bayonne 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).