Charges Against 20-Year-Old Man First Charged For Running Down A Man, Upgrade After Man Dies Of Injuries
Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WEST NEW YORK, NJ.- A 20-year-old Westfield, New Jersey, man first charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident, resulting in serious bodily injury, for running down a pedestrian while operating a stolen motorcycle and fleeing the scene now faces upgraded charges after the 54-year-old victim succumbs to his injuries one week later.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, Samuel Collazo, 20, of Westfield, New Jersey, was charged on Monday with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death.
Collazo had been previously charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Bodily Injury; Endangering an Injured Victim; Receiving Stolen Property; and Unlawful Taking. Collazo remains detained in the Hudson County Correctional Facility. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain Collazo pending trial.
Charges Upgraded
The upgraded charges stem from an investigation that began on Saturday, August 17, 2024, when, around 3:40 p.m., members of the West New York Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a motorcycle near the intersection of Bergenline Avenue and 57th Street in West New York.
Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, identified as Angel Guzman-Morales, 54, of Union City, New Jersey, lying in the roadway suffering from serious injuries. Mr. Guzman-Morales was immediately transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition until this past Saturday, August 24, 2024, when he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
During the initial investigation, Police Officers learned that Mr. Guzman-Morales was attempting to cross the roadway when he was struck by a motorcycle, whose occupants then fled the scene on foot.
Subsequent investigations by Detectives of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the West New York Police Department identified Collazo as the motorcycle’s operator and his passenger, Rylan Cook-Figueroa, 20, of West New York, New Jersey. Detectives determined the motorcycle had been stolen.
Collazo and Cook-Figueroa were taken into custody and charged. After being processed on the charges, Cook-Figueroa was released pending future court proceedings, while Collazo remained detained.
“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.”
