Homeland Security Agent Charged With Leaving Hoboken Crash Scene

HOBOKEN, NJ — An off-duty agent with the Department of Homeland Security has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident following a Monday morning crash that seriously injured a 24-year-old bicyclist in Hoboken.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said that Ryan Varrone, 32, turned himself in to detectives with the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Varrone was charged with Endangering an Injured Victim and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Serious Bodily Injury. He was also charged with the following Motor Vehicle violations: Failure to Stop, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, Failure to Obey Signal, and Improper Safety Glass.

On Monday, members of the Hoboken Police Department responded to the area of Garden and First streets at approximately 12:50 a.m. on reports of a pedestrian struck. When they arrived, they found the victim, a New Hampshire man, had been struck while riding a bicycle on Garden Street with two friends. As a result of his injuries, the victim was transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.

The Prosecutor's Office said that according to the initial investigation, Varrone — identified as an off-duty agent with the U.S. Division of Homeland Security — initially stopped, but then left the scene.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Regional Collision
Investigation Unit and the Hoboken Police Department for the investigation and arrest.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven
guilty.

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