Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, III have announced that one of the two women who were struck by a hit and run driver in Newark on January 6th has died.
According to a statement released by authorities, Ms. Yesenia Afflitto, 33, of Elizabeth, was pronounced dead earlier Saturday.
Authorities say a white SUV struck Afflitto and her friend, a 48-year-old Newark woman while they were crossing the street at Broadway and Verona Avenue shortly before 2:00 a.m.
Both women were critically injured and transported to University Hospital according to authorities.
The driver of the hit and run vehicle fled from the scene after striking the women authorities said.
Officers from the Newark Police Department recovered the vehicle on January 8, and an investigation by detectives from the Prosecutor's Crime Scene Investigations Bureau led to charges being filed against Nester Mr. Marin-Romaldo, 35, of Elizabeth.
According to authorities, officials charged Marin-Romaldo with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of leaving the scene of a collision in which the victims suffered severe bodily injury.
"With the death of Afflitto, charges will be upgraded to vehicular homicide," according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit.
Authorities said Marin-Romaldo remains at large.
Anyone with information as to whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Prosecutor's Tip Line at 877-847-7432.