FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, January 21, 2022
MAN CHARGED IN JERSEY CITY HIT-AND-RUN THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED ELECTRIC BICYCLIST
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
A Jersey City man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left an 18-year-old man with serious injuries. Marvin Lara, 39, surrendered himself to detectives with the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of Summit Avenue and Jewett Avenue on reports of a hit-and-run crash involving an electric bicycle. The 17-year-old operator of the bicycle and his 18-year-old passenger were both transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment, with the 18-year-old victim suffering a serious injury to his lower body.
On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of the incident. An investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit determined the victims were struck while traveling south on Summit Avenue by a Toyota RAV 4, operated by Lara. After the collision, Lara failed to stop and continued west on Jewett Avenue.
Lara has been charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, in violation of 2C:12-1.1, Endangering an Injured Victim, in violation of 2C:12-1.2a, and Causing Serious Bodily Injury in a Collision While Being Unlicensed, in violation of 2C:40-22b. He was additionally issued motor vehicle summonses for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, in violation of 39:4-129, Unlicensed Driving, in violation of 39:3-10, and Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident, in violation of 39:4-130. Lara is scheduled to make his first court appearance on February 28, 2022.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)