Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced that the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect who fled the scene after critically injuring a 63-year-old man in a two-vehicle collision in the area of West Side Avenue in Jersey City on Friday.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, on March 11, at approximately 4:56 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of West Side Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue on reports of a crash.
Prosecutor Suarez said that responding officers found the driver of a Toyota RAV4, later identified as a 63-year-old Elizabeth man, with serious injuries.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, he was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
A preliminary investigation determined the Toyota RAV4 was traveling east on Roosevelt Avenue when the vehicle collided with a gray Chevrolet Camaro that was traveling north of West Side Avenue.
According to the investigation, the driver of the Chevrolet Camaro fled on foot following the collision.
Investigators determined the Chevrolet Camaro had been stolen moments before the crash at approximately 4:51 a.m. in the area of West Side Avenue and Union Street.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, the suspect was wearing a dark-colored hooded Nike track jacket with dark athletic pants tucked into a classic-style white high-top sneaker. He has dark hair and visible facial hair in a goatee style.
Prosecutor Suarez stated that prior to the initial vehicle theft, the suspect was seen operating a burgundy-colored 2013-2018 Acura RDX.
The Acura appears to have a unique hitch-mounted bicycle rack at the rear of the vehicle.
Investigators are also asking the public for assistance in finding this vehicle.
The collision is being actively investigated by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle he was operating is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website.
All information will be kept confidential.