Unlicensed Teen Driver, Mother Charged In Hudson County Crash That Killed DPW Worker

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A 16-year-old boy and his mother have been charged with multiple offenses in connection with a fatal car crash earlier this month that killed a man, 73, while he was working for the town of Union City.

The boy was charged as a juvenile with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision and causing a death while driving unlicensed.

The boy's mother, from Union City, was charged with hindering and with false reporting to a law enforcement officer.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office declined to identify the teen, as he is a juvenile, and also did not identify his 37-year-old mother.

They were both arrested at the county prosecutor's office on Friday and released pending their first court appearance, prosecutors said.

On Monday, June 5, 2023, at approximately 7:36 a.m., the Union City Police Department was
notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Palisade Avenue and 36th Street.

Officers located the male victim – later identified as Fortunato Rojas-Solis, 73, of Union City – with life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and was pronounced dead. at approximately 5:15 p.m.

The investigation determined that he was struck by a Dodge Durango operated by the 16-
year-old Union City male, prosecutors said.

Rojas-Solis was working in his capacity as a Union City Department of Public Works employee at the time of the collision, prosecutors said.

See a prior story here.