For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2026

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 20-year-old AIDEN C. PEREZ of Washingtonville, NY on charges stemming from a motor vehicle crash. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Paramus Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert M. Guidetti.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at approximately 9:53 p.m., the Paramus Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles that occurred along the southbound lanes of Route 17, near the exit for Ridgewood Avenue. Upon arrival, responding officers determined that AIDEN C. PEREZ was operating a 2015 Audi at a high rate of speed and lost control while attempting to change lanes, which resulted in the Audi colliding with a 2019 Jeep. PEREZ and the driver of the Jeep were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries that were believed at the time to be minor in nature. Following the crash, however, and after hospitalization, it was determined that the driver of the Jeep sustained serious injuries. Accordingly, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit was notified of the crash and serious injuries. As such, detectives and accident investigators from the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit joined the investigation with detectives from the Paramus Police Department.

The joint investigation revealed that AIDEN C. PEREZ was attempting to race another vehicle at the time of the crash, and he was operating his vehicle at recklessly high speeds before losing control of the Audi, colliding with the rear of the Jeep. The collision resulted in serious injuries to the female driver of the Jeep, while PEREZ sustained minor injuries.

As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, AIDEN C. PEREZ was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(1); fourth-degree assault by auto, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c)(1); as well as related motor vehicle offenses. PEREZ was was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, made a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court, and was released pending further court action.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Paramus Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation. In addition, he thanks and recognizes the Norwood Police Department, which participates in the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force.