Ex-Parsippany Man Convicted Of Killing Boy, 12, In Hit-And-Run

UNION, NJ — A jury found a former Lake Hiawatha man guilty Friday of fatally hitting a 12-year-old child in Union Township with his car and fleeing the scene. Jose Marrero faces up to 10 years in prison for the death of Jeremy Maraj in 2019.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on the sole charge against Marrero: one count of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident that results in death, a second-degree crime. Sentencing for the 39-year-old is set for June 10.

Marrero now lives in Kearny but lived in Lake Hiawatha when he was charged in 2019. The man was driving his work van when he struck Maraj on the shoulder of Galloping Hill Road in Union on July 17, 2019. Witnesses to the accident testified that Marrero never stopped, fleeing the scene.

Officials rushed Maraj to University Hospital in Newark, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Maraj enjoyed doing what most 12-year-olds do, according to his obituary. The Union resident loved freestyle rapping, spending time with his family and surrounding himself with dogs — especially his English bulldog, Spike. His organs were donated to other children. Read More: Union Boy Killed In Crash Gives Gift Of Life, Donates Organs

Marrero was charged in connection to the hit-and-run scene, and he turned himself in to Union County authorities Aug. 2, 2019. Following a week-long trial at Union County Superior Court, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning a guilty verdict.

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