A West New York driver is facing upgraded charges after a pedestrian struck in a hit-and-run earlier this month succumbed to his injuries, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Samuel Collazo, 20, of Westfield, is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, Suarez said in a statement.
Collazo was previously charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, receiving stolen property, and unlawful taking.
He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny pending the State’s Motion for Detention.
A second defendant, Rylan Cook-Figueroa, 20, of West New York, was previously charged with endangering an injured victim and unlawful taking.
At approximately 3:40 p.m. on August 17th, the West New York Police Department was notified of a pedestrian struck by a motorcycle in the area of Bergenline Avenue and 57th Street.
Responding officers located a male victim – later identified as Angel Guzman-Morales, 54, of Union City – with life-threatening injuries. The occupant(s) of the motorcycle fled the scene on foot.
Guzman-Morales was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday, August 24th.
During the preliminary investigation, it was determined the vehicle was previously reported stolen. Collazo was identified as the operator of the vehicle and Cook-Figueroa was identified as the rear passenger.
Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the West New York PD with the investigation and arrest.