Law enforcement officials announced that based upon an investigation Mr. Dwayne Smalls, 20, from Paterson, was arrested without incident Tuesday afternoon in relation to an investigation that began on February 24.
According to police, on that day, a 2019 Kia Forte, being operated by Mr. Smalls, collided head-on with a 2016 Honda Accord, being operated by a 63-year-old male from Fair Lawn on Route 20 at 17th Avenue.
Mr. Smalls, the 63-year-old male, and a passenger in the Kia Forte, Mr. Marquise Samuels, 22, from Paterson, were transported to Saint Joseph’s University Hospital, where doctors treated them for serious bodily injuries.
Police say Mr. Samuels ultimately succumbed to those injuries on February 27. A third vehicle, a 2010 Ford Escape, operated by a 57-year-old female of Hawthorne, collided with the Honda Accord and a guardrail.
According to police, the woman was also transported to Saint Joseph’s University Hospital, where she received treatment for minor injuries.
According to the prosecutor's office, Mr. Smalls was charged with one count of Second Degree Death by Auto, one count of Fourth Degree Assault by Auto, and one count of Disorderly Persons Assault by Auto.
Mr. Smalls will appear at Central Judicial Processing Court on March 10, 2021.