Man charged with death by auto in fatal Paramus hit-and-run near Garden State Plaza
Authorities say a woman was hit by a vehicle on Route 17 South near the shopping mall around 5 p.m. Monday.
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A 31-year-old New York man has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run near the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus on Monday evening, Bergen County prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Estuardo G. Rodriguez, of Tarrytown, is accused of striking and killing Krisiann Reyes Rivera, of the Bronx, following a collision between two vehicles on Route 17 South.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez was driving a 2024 Acura SUV towing a U-Haul trailer when it collided with a Buick carrying Reyes Rivera as a passenger around 5:10 p.m.
After the initial crash, Reyes Rivera got out of the Buick, approached the Acura and struck one of its windows, according to investigators.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez then accelerated, striking Reyes Rivera, knocking her to the ground and running her over with the trailer's rear tires.
Rodriguez drove away onto Garden State Plaza Boulevard, where witnesses who followed his vehicle blocked it in traffic about a half mile from the crash scene and flagged down a Paramus police officer, prosecutors said.
Reyes Rivera was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined Rodriguez was driving under the influence of alcohol and with a suspended license, according to prosecutors.
Rodriguez faces charges including death by auto, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, endangering an injured victim and driving while suspended in a crash resulting in death. He also faces several motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated.
