For Immediate Release:
June 3, 2026

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 35-year-old JOHAN M. VALENCIA-RESTREPO of New Milford, NJ 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 River Edge Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael J. Walker.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at approximately 2:55 a.m., the River Edge Police Department responded to a serious motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Kinderkamack Road and Midland Avenue. Responding officers arrived and encountered a vehicle that caught fire after it left the roadway and struck a building at that intersection. The driver, later identified as JOHAN M. VALENCIA-RESTREPO, as well as a 32-year-old female passenger, both suffered serious injuries and were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. A resident of an apartment in the building that was struck also suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The driver, JOHAN M. VALENCIA-RESTREPO, was suspected of operating the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox while under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Accordingly, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit was notified of the incident, and detectives and accident investigators from the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit responded to the scene to initiate a joint investigation with the River Edge Police Department into the collision.

The joint investigation has so far revealed that JOHAN M. VALENCIA-RESTREPO, while suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, was driving the vehicle east on Midland Avenue approaching Kinderkamack Road when he failed to negotiate either a left-hand or right-hand turn. The vehicle continued straight ahead, left the roadway, and collided into a building. The collision resulted in serious injuries to him, as well as his female passenger, and minor injuries to a resident of the building.

As a result of the investigation, JOHAN M. VALENCIA-RESTREPO was charged with third-degree assault by auto, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c; fourth-degree assault by auto, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c; as well as related motor vehicle offenses. VALENCIA-RESTREPO remains hospitalized and in the custody of the River Edge Police Department. Upon his release, VALENCIA-RESTREPO will be transferred into the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark 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 River Edge Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. In addition, he thanks and recognizes the East Rutherford Police Department and Ramsey Police Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force.