By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced the arrest of Whigmer J. Villanueva, 56, of Harrison, NY, for assault by auto as a result of a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Paramus.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said the arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Acting Chief Matthew Finck and the Paramus Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert M. Guidetti.
According to officials, on Saturday, March 23, at approximately 2:28 a.m., the Paramus Police Department responded to Route 4 West, near the intersection with Paramus Road, for a report of a motor vehicle crash that involved two vehicles.
An investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Paramus Police Department revealed that a 2008 Toyota operated by Villanueva was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Route 4 and collided head-on with another vehicle, officials stated.
Authorities say as a result of the collision, five victims were transported to area hospitals with various degrees of injuries, including one victim with serious injuries.
As a result of the investigation, officials say, Whigmer Villanueva was charged with third-degree assault by auto and four counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, along with several motor vehicle summonses.
Officials said Villanueva is scheduled for a first appearance at the Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on Friday, April 12, 2024.