NJ Man Found Guilty After Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash In Newark

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man has been found guilty on multiple charges in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that took place more than four years ago in Newark, prosecutors announced Thursday.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the fatal car-pedestrian strike took place at 5:11 a.m. when Justin Brown, 36, of Newark, hit Alejandro Garcia, 38, of Passaic, as he was standing at the corner of Third Avenue and McCarter Highway North.

Emergency responders transported Garcia to University Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

Surveillance video introduced at trial showed that Brown failed to stop after striking the victim and fled the scene.

Later that day, Brown arranged to have his car towed to a junkyard to destroy the evidence, prosecutors said.

The jury returned a verdict against Brown on March 2 after a 10-day trial, finding him guilty on charges of second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and third-degree tampering with physical evidence.

Essex County prosecutors credited the Newark Police Division and the Kearny Police Department for aiding with the investigation that led to Brown’s arrest.

Brown is scheduled for sentencing on April 16.

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