Maplewood Man Charged in Fatal Car Crash

A 44-year-old Maplewood man has been arrested and charged with the vehicular homicide of a Newark woman that occurred shortly after 1 a.m. this morning as his car exited I-280 in Newark.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said that alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash.

At approximately 1:09 a.m. a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Michael J. Hocutt of Maplewood was exiting I-280 at First Street and struck a 1999 Nissan driven by Suamy Ortiz, 24, of Newark.

Ortiz was pronounced dead at the scene. Hocutt and his passenger were transported to University Hospital. Hocutt was treated and released. The passenger remains hospitalized.

In addition to being charged with causing Ortiz’s death, aggravated assault charges were also lodged against Hocutt as a result of the injuries sustained by a 37-year-old female traveling with him. Her name is not being released at this time.

Bail was set at $150,000 by the Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler. Hocutt is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the victim’s next of kin have been notified.