By: Richard L. Smith
A tragic hit-and-run incident in Dumont, New Jersey, claimed the life of 54-year-old Ms. Elizabeth Feliciano-Rosa, a respected educator from Englewood Public Schools, leading to the arrest of Mr. Ernest F. Hofmann.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, led by Acting Chief Matthew Finck, alongside the Dumont Police Department under Chief Brian Joyce, swiftly responded to the fatal accident that unfolded on Thursday, March 14, at around 5:19 p.m.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue when Feliciano-Rosa was struck by a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck as she crossed Madison Avenue.
The vehicle was allegedly operated by Hofmann, who fled the scene before police could arrive. Feliciano-Rosa was promptly transported to Hackensack University Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The comprehensive investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Dumont Police Department led to the identification and arrest of Hofmann.
He faces charges of second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death and fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law.
Hofmann is currently held at the Bergen County Jail pending his court appearance in Hackensack.
Prosecutor Musella emphasized that the charges against Hofmann are merely accusations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The community mourns the loss of Feliciano-Rosa, remembering her contributions to education and her lasting impact on the lives of many.