Chris Christie's Friend ID'd As Victim After SUV Plows Into Crowd, Killing 2 In North Bergen

A long-time friend of Gov. Chris Christie was among two victims killed in a fatal hit-and-run accident in New Jersey on Sunday, according to officials.

The two victims were Russell Maffei, 57, chairman of the Jersey City Republican Party and a committeeman for the statewide organization, and Marie Tauro, 80, vice chairwoman of the Jersey City Tea Party Alliance, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

The owner of the vehicle, Michael J. Hansen, age 38, of North Bergen,was arrested by members of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and North Bergen Police Department shortly before 4 a.m. Hansen is a Hudson County Corrections Officer.

Christie issued a statement on the crash, saying he and his wife, Mary Pat, "were deeply saddened and disturbed to learn of the tragic deaths of Russell Maffei and Marie Tauro in what police are reporting to be a hit-and-run incident in North Bergen last night."

"More than just a long-time Republican colleague, Russ was a dear friend whom I had known for many years and who I could always rely upon," he said. "As the full details of this tragedy continue to unfold, Mary Pat and I want the families and friends of both Russ and Marie to know that we will do all we can to make sure that justice is done. The victims and their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.”

At approximately 8:05 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department received a report of a pedestrian struck near the intersection of Paterson Plank Road andKennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, according to the HCPO.

Upon arrival, North Bergen Police Officers found a male and a female victim. Maffei and Tauro were transported by Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where they were pronounced dead shortly before 10:40 p.m.

Maffei

During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle involved with the crash had fled the scene. The vehicle suspected in the crash was subsequently located in North Bergen.

Hansen has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death.

The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance by the NorthBergen Police Department.

Sheriff Frank Schillari said, “I would like to credit the cooperative effort of the Hudson CountySheriff’s Office, the North Bergen Police Department and the Office of the Hudson CountyProsecutor for helping make a quick arrest of the suspect in this tragic crash.”

The investigation which is active and ongoing and anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Unit at 201-915-1300,ext. 7050. All information will be kept confidential.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.

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