Secaucus Woman Hit, Killed By Car In Carlstadt Hit And Run: Police

CARLSTADT, NJ — A Secaucus woman was hit by a car and killed Friday night in a hit and run in Carlstadt, according to this press release from Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

The woman who was killed has been identified as Deborah Peko-Lillis, 61, of Secaucus.

She is the sister-in-law of Secaucus Recreation Director Mike Pero, said Mayor Mike Gonnelli, who said he knows her very well, and that she and her family are "wonderful people. I am very, very sorry this happened."

NJ 101.5 has a photo of Peko-Lillis, and reports that she worked for Saint Peter's all-boys Catholic prep school in downtown Jersey City. Her son, Kyle, graduated from Saint Peter's Prep in 2010. Saint Peter's Prep president Michael Gomez described Peko-Lillis to 101.5 as "a proud Prep mom."

At 10:19 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 Carlstadt Police responded to a 911 call of a crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Hoboken Road in Carlstadt.

Police say a 2017 Toyota Rav-4 struck the woman as she crossed Hoboken Road, gravely injuring her.

The Toyota Rav-4 then fled the area. She was hit by a 70-year-old Passaic man, who fled the scene after striking her with his car, said the Bergen County Prosecutor.

Peko-Lillis was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead as a result of the injuries she sustained during the collision.

The next day, Saturday, the driver of the car was located by police: Justinian Cuevasmetemi, 71, of Passaic, charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim. He also served with multiple motor vehicle summonses. His occupation was listed as an assistant waiter.

He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first court appearance. This case was investigated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Carlstadt Police and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.