Clifton Man Charged For Killing Woman In April 2024, Passaic Hit & Run

Thursday, October 24, 2024, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PASSAIC, NJ.- On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes reported following an investigation, Detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office have formally charged Grzegorz Wolak, 33, of Clifton, New Jersey, in connection with a fatal hit and run that occurred on April 10, 2024, in Passaic, New Jersey.

     Wolak has been charged with second-degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death. He was processed on the charge and was remanded into custody, pending a first appearance in Passaic County Central Judicial Processing Court. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to have Wolak detained pending trial.

     The charge stems from an investigation that began on April 10, 2024, when shortly before 11:15 p.m., members of the Passaic Police Department responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Passaic and Aycrigg Avenues in the City of Passaic.

Passaic Police Officers Find Gravely Injured Woman

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a woman, later identified as Rachel McNeil, 58, of Passaic, New Jersey, in the roadway having sustained severe life-threatening injuries. Ms. McNeil had been transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where two days later, she tragically succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased on April 12, 2024.

     During a subsequent investigation by Detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Investigations Unit and the Passaic Police Department were able to determine that Ms.McNeil was struck by a Red Ford Explorer that fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Detectives Identify Wolak

     Further investigation led Detectives to identify Wolak as the registered owner and operator of the Red Ford Explorer who ran down Ms. McNeil and then fled the scene. If convicted at trial, Wolak faces up to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.

     The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information regarding this investigation to contact the Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.

“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.”