FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor

WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org

DATE: Thursday, October 26, 2017

INDICTMENT RETURNED IN NORTH BERGEN FATAL CRASH

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On October 25, 2017, a Hudson County Grand Jury returned an Indictment against Michael J. Hansen, age 38, of North Bergen, charging him with four counts related to the deaths of Russell Maffei and Marie Tauro in a North Bergen fatal collision that occurred on April 2, 2017.

The Indictment charged Hansen with two counts of Death by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5, both crimes of the first degree and two counts of Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, both crimes of the second degree.

On Sunday, April 2, at approximately 8:05 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department received a report of a pedestrian struck near the intersection of Paterson Plank Road and Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen.

Upon arrival, North Bergen Police Officers found two victims, Maffei, age 57, and Tauro, age 80, both of Jersey City. Maffei and Tauro were transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where they were pronounced dead shortly before 10:40 p.m.

The vehicle suspected in the crash fled the scene and was subsequently located in North Bergen. Hansen, who was identified as the owner of the suspected vehicle, was arrested shortly before 4 a.m. at a residence in North Bergen. Hansen was staying at the residence with family members.

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