Press Release

Press Releases << FORT LEE, NJ MAN CHARGED IN PALISADES PARK HIT-AND-RUN

For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2024

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 28-year-old HUGO R. PAZ-LAJUJ of Fort Lee, NJ on charges stemming from a hit-and-run accident. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Palisades Park Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Captain James Rotundo.

On Monday, October 14, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Palisades Park Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a motor vehicle on Brinkerhoff Avenue. Upon arrival, officers determined that the vehicle involved left the scene of the collision. The pedestrian, who was identified as a 17-year-old male from Fort Lee, NJ, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The Palisades Park Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and a joint investigation was initiated.

During the investigation, detectives determined that a 2004 Honda Civic struck the victim as he was attempting to cross Brinkerhoff Avenue near the intersection of 14th Street. Following the collision with the pedestrian, the driver of the Honda fled the scene of the accident without advising police of his involvement in the collision. After a month-long investigation, detectives identified HUGO R. PAZ-LAJUJ as the driver of the Honda, and located the vehicle involved, which included the repairs that PAZ-LAJUJ made to conceal the damage from the hit-and-run accident.

As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, HUGO R. PAZ-LAJUJ was arrested and charged with third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1; third-degree hindering apprehension, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1); fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1); and fourth-degree obstructing justice, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1(a); as well as related motor vehicle offenses. PAZ-LAJUJ was transported to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.

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. He would like to thank the Palisades Park Police Department, Fort Lee Police Department, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.