Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has charged two drivers for their roles in a Jersey City crash on June 5, 2021, that seriously injured a 44-year-old Passaic man.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, Justin Crespo, 25, and Marc Crespo, 26, both in Jersey City, were arrested without incident at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City on Wednesday, June 1.
Prosecutor Suarez said Justin Crespo is charged with one count of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a crime of the second degree, and one count of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(1)(a), a crime of the fourth degree.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, Marc Crespo is charged with one count of Aggravated Assault based on accomplice liability in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6(c), a crime of the second degree, and one count of Assault by Auto based on accomplice liability in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(1)(a) and N.J.S.A. 2C:2-6(c), a crime of the fourth degree.
Both are being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending their first court appearances.
An investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit found that at approximately 6:20 p.m., Justin Crespo was operating a Mercedes Benz sedan in the northbound lanes of Kennedy Boulevard when he collided with a Toyota Highlander as the 34-year-old driver attempted to make a left turn onto Leonard Street from the south side of the roadway.
Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the backseat passenger of the Toyota Highlander, a 44-year-old Passaic man, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. Both drivers were treated for minor injuries at Jersey City Medical Center.
A third vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, was also involved in the collision and the driver refused medical attention at the scene.
A total of five unoccupied vehicles were damaged as a result of the collision.
The investigation determined Justin Crespo was racing his brother, Marc Crespo, who was operating a BMW sedan, in the moments leading up to the collision. Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the investigation.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)