Full Notification

October 9, 2019

News Release

Juvenile pedestrian injured in hit-and-run

WATCHUNG, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’ Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Watchung Chief of Police Joseph Cina announced that an investigation is underway into a pedestrian hit-and-run that occurred in Watchung, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, October 8th, at approximately 6:55 pm, the Watchung Police Department responded to the scene of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on Valley Road. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (C.A.R.T.) responded to the scene, along with detectives from the Watchung Police Department, to conduct an investigation. On-scene investigation determined that the pedestrian, a 12-year old, was crossing Valley Road in a northbound direction when he was struck by a westbound vehicle which fled the scene. The 12-year old victim was accompanied by several other juveniles who were not struck or injured. After the impact, the vehicle, possibly a Hyundai, fled westbound on Valley Road. The victim was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. The injuries were serious but non-life-threatening and the victim is reportedly in stable condition.

Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Cina request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (C.A.R.T) at (908) 231-7100, or the Watchung Police Department at (908) 756-3663 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Note: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.