20-Year-Old Westfield Man & 20-Year-Old West New New York Man Charged For Running Down Pedestrian & Fleeing

Thursday, August 22, 2024, 3:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WEST NEW YORK, NJ.- On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Detectives of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit arrested two men in connection with Saturday afternoon’s hit-and-run collision that critically injured a man while crossing a West New York street.

According To Prosecutor

     According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, Detectives have formally charged Samuel Collazo, 20, of Westfield, New Jersey, with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury; Endangering the Welfare of an Injured Victim; Receiving Stolen Property; and Unlawful Taking.

     Detectives also formally charged Rylan Cook-Figueroa, 20, of West New York, New Jersey, with Endangering an Injured Victim; and Unlawful Taking. 

     Both men were processed on the charges and were remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Investigation

     The charges stem from an investigation that began on Saturday, August 17, 2024, when shortly after 3:30 p.m., members of the West New York Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck a motorcycle on Bergenline Avenue near 57th Street in West New York.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a 54-year-old Union City, New Jersey, man suffering from life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a motorcycle, with both occupants fleeing the scene on foot.

     During the preliminary investigation, Detectives determined that the motorcycle had previously been reported stolen. Collazo was identified as the driver, and Cook-Figueroa was identified as the rear passenger.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”