FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Friday, October 20, 2017
SUSPECTED DRIVER IN FATAL COLLISION ARRESTED
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the following information:
Bell surrendered at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the Prosecutor’s Office on Duncan Avenue in Jersey City.
Bell, age 20, of Jersey City, was arrested without incident and has been charged with two counts of Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1, a second-degree crime. Two warrants were issued for his arrest on October 19, 2017.
Additionally, charges have been filed against Denasia Felder, age 20, of Jersey City. On October 19, 2017, Felder who was a passenger in the Nissan Maxima, was charged with Hindering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3a(3). She is scheduled to make her First Appearance on Nov. 14, 2017 at 9 a.m.
On Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department received a report of a person struck by a vehicle in the area of Terrace Avenue and Leonard Street in Jersey City. Upon arrival, the responding Police Officers found two male victims.
The first victim, later identified as Elionel Jimenez, age 15, of Jersey City, was found on the off-ramp of Route 1 & 9 in an unresponsive state. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 2:40 p.m. The cause and manner of his death are pending an investigation by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
The second victim, Alexander Rosas, age 16, of Jersey City, was found near the Route 1 & 9 northbound roadway below the scene of the accident. The victim was treated at the scene before being transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he continued to receive treatment for his injuries until he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:05 p.m. on October 19, 2017. The cause and manner of his death are pending an investigation by the Medical Examiner.
During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the two victims were riding on a bicycle when they were struck by a gold Nissan Maxima with four occupants. The male driver of the vehicle and the three passengers abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot after it was driven a short distance from the crash scene. Two of the passengers returned to the scene and were transported by EMS to Christ Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released.
The investigation continues and additional charges are expected.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit of the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor 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.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).