Hit-And-Run Kills 2 Pedestrians In Newark Crosswalk, Cops Arrest Suspect (UPDATED)

This article was updated on June 24

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A hit-and-run driver killed two women in North Jersey last weekend, authorities said Monday.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the fatal crash took place around 11 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of Park Avenue and North 7th Street in Newark.

The pedestrians were hit while they were in a crosswalk. The vehicle continued northbound on North 7th Street and fled the scene, authorities said.

The victims were identified as Mariana Elizabeth Valverde Beltran, 58, of Elizabeth, and Maria Isabel DeLosAngeles Salgado Ayala, 61, of Newark. The women were transported to University Hospital and pronounced deceased.

Police continue to investigate the fatal crash, prosecutors said Monday.

Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST

On Wednesday, prosecutors announced that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run: David J. Zapata-Vera, 26, of Newark.

Zapata-Vera surrendered himself to police on Tuesday. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, and two counts of third-degree endangering an injured victim.

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