NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Police have charged a North Brunswick man in connection with a Saturday night fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 48-year-old city woman, authorities said.
Pedestrian Elvia Gavarrete was crossing Lee and Suydam Streets at about 10:30 pm on Saturday, May 24th, when she was struck by a vehicle that left the scene before police officers arrived, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Police Chief Vincent Sabo said in a prepared statement
Gavarrete was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she later died from her injuries, authorities said.
City police Officer Mark Smith and county Detective Shadi Zaiton soon determined that a pickup truck, allegedly driven by Juan Martinez-Gaspar, 41, of North Brunswick, had been involved in the fatal accident and fled the scene.
The investigators later found the pickup truck with damage consistent with a pedestrian crash, and arrested Martinez-Gaspar, the prosecutor’s office said. He is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information or videos from the area is asked to call Officer Smith at (732) 745-5005 or county Detective Zaiton at (732) 745-4263.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Martinez-Gaspar are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.