Driver Involved in North Bergen Fatal Crash Faces Criminal Charge

A North Bergen man has been arrested and charged for his involvement in the September collision that caused the death of a passenger in the vehicle he was driving on Westside Avenue in North Bergen.

On December 3, 2018, Daniel Rodriguez, age 19, of North Bergen, turned himself in without incident to members of the Fatal Collision Unit at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny following his arrest.

Rodriguez has been charged with Death by Auto in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-5, a second-degree crime. He was scheduled to make his first appearance on this charge in Criminal Justice Reform Court in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City at 1:00 p.m. on December 4, 2018.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit for the investigation and arrest and the North Bergen Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

On Thursday, September 20, 2018, at approximately 9:40 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department received a report of a collision on Westside Avenue in North Bergen. Upon arrival, responding Police Officers found that a 2013 Infiniti had collided with a tractor-trailer truck.

The investigation by the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit and the North Bergen Police Department determined that the Infiniti was traveling north on Westside Avenue at an excessive rate of speed when the collision occurred. The tractor-trailer was pulling out of the driveway of 4700 Westside Avenue and about to make a turn onto Westside Avenue when it was struck by the Infiniti.

Both Rodriguez and the passenger of the Infiniti were treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Services before being transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where they were initially listed in critical condition.

The passenger, identified as William David, age 36, of North Bergen was pronounced dead on September 23, 2018, while in Hackensack University Medical Center.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured as a result of the collision and remained at the scene while members of the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit and the North Bergen Police Department conducted their investigation.

The above charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).