Fatal Hit-And-Run Prompts Calls For Traffic Safety In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A tragic hit-and-run that occurred in Morristown last month has the public asking for enhanced traffic safety at intersections.

During the Morristown council meeting last week, members of the public urged town officials to implement stronger traffic safety measures, citing the death of a 68-year-old pedestrian who was pinned beneath a pick-up truck on Speedwell Place.

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David Cook, a 32-year Morristown resident who lives near where the accident took place, spoke first. He says he’s seen a number of accidents in the same area over the last three decades.

“The traffic lights there need to be changed,” Cook said. “They need the ‘walk’ signs out there all through Morristown, to tell pedestrians when to walk, and when traffic to go.”

The hit-and-run victim, Justo Pilco-Tenesaca, was reportedly crossing the street in a crosswalk when he was struck. Cook’s son, who was also present at the meeting, told officials he has “pretty nasty” footage of the incident, and also said changes need to be made.

Council President Steven Pylypchuk, who represents the ward where the accident took place, says he’s met with public safety officials and is “taking steps” to improve safety not just at that intersection, but across town.

Mayor Tim Dougherty says the county and state run a majority of the traffic light systems in Morristown. He met with a state official recently looking to enhance the technology of traffic lights in Morristown.

“If there’s a pilot program, we want to be part of it,” the mayor said he told the governor’s office. “Make us the test case for light sequencing. Change the way we do our lights, and the way our traffic moves.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Dougherty added.

Background

On March 20, Justo Pilco-Tenesaca, 68, of Morristown, was pinned by a car while crossing the street and later pronounced dead.

Police believe Wilson “Adrian” Morocho-Necta, 33, also of Morristown, was behind the wheel of a truck that killed Tenesaca.

Authorities said Morocho-Necta jumped out of the truck and fled on foot following the incident.

Local, state, and federal investigators are still hunting Morocho-Necta, who is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and endangering an injured victim by leaving the scene.

Anyone with information on the crash or Necta's whereabouts is asked to call the Morristown Police at 973-538-2200, the Morris County Crimestoppers at 973-267-2255, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement at 866-DHS-2-ICE.

Previous Coverage:

• Morristown Hit-And-Run Suspect Was Deported Years Ago, Returned To US, Feds Say
• Police, ICE Still Hunting NJ Fatal Hit-And-Run Suspect
• Morristown Victim ID’d As Police Search For Hit-And-Run Driver
• Community Rallies To Send Morristown Hit-And-Run Victim’s Body Home
• NJ Driver Flees Scene Of Fatal Hit-And-Run On Foot, Leaving Victim Dead Under Truck