Man Charged For Allegedly Fatally Running Down Man & Fleeing Scene

Sunday, October 13, 2024, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

LYNDHURST, NJ.- Following an investigation, On Friday, October 11, 2024, a 29-year-old Kearny, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with running down and killing a 57-year-old Lyndhurst, New Jersey man, and fleeing the scene, leaving the man to die in the roadway.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, as first reported, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, shortly before 10:00 p.m., members of the Lyndhurst Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle on Ridge Road near Milton Avenue in Lyndhurst.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, later identified as George Arnold, 57, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, having succumbed to injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle while crossing the road. Mr. Arnold was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. 

     The initial investigation by responding Police Officers determined that the vehicle that struck Mr. Arnold fled the scene. The Lyndhurst Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and a joint investigation was launched.

Investigation Identifies Car And Driver

     During a swift-moving investigation, Detectives determined that Mr. Arnold was attempting to cross Ridge Road near the intersection of Milton Avenue when he was fatally struck by a 2020 Honda Civic that fled the scene. Further investigation revealed that Steeven G. Novillo-Cabrera, 29, of Kearny, New Jersey, was the driver of the Honda that fatally struck Mr. Arnold and fled the scene. Following the crash, Novillo-Cabrera attempted to have his vehicle repaired to hide the crash. 

     Accordingly, on Friday, Novillo-Cabrera was taken into custody in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and was formally charged with second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death; third-degree Hindering Apprehension; third-degree Endangering an Injured Victim; and fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence, as well as multiple motor vehicle offenses.

     Novillo-Cabrera was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“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.”