Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of Raphael Ramos 47, of Midland Park on charges of Leaving The Scene Of A Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision.
Police say the arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and the Ridgewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Jacqueline Luthcke.
According to police, at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Monday, September 24th the Ridgewood Police Department received a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway on West Ridgewood Avenue near the intersection with Library Place.
Police say when officers arrived, they observed a male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries.
Police say the victim, Mr. Edward J. Rao, 54, was transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
According to police, evidence at the scene, and surveillance video recovered from the area indicated that the striking vehicle was a 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, four-door SUV, dark in color.
The striking vehicle continued traveling westbound on West Ridgewood Avenue, toward Midland Park, after the collision.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested Ramos on September 29, 2018, in Midland Park, then charged him with one count of Leaving The Scene Of A Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Ridgewood Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.