Crime & Safety
Verona Sister Killed, Brother Injured; Crash Involved Belleville Driver: Authorities
A Belleville driver is not currently facing charges after a fatal pedestrian-car strike in Verona, authorities say.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A Belleville driver is not facing charges after a pedestrian-car strike killed a woman and seriously injured her brother in Verona on Friday morning, authorities say.
The fatal car-pedestrian strike took place around 7:45 a.m. as Megan E. Villanella, 34, of Verona, and her 30-year-old brother were standing on the sidewalk at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue, according to a joint news release from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Verona Police Chief Mitchell Stern.
Police said that a white, 2006 Mitsubishi struck the pair, causing Megan Villanella fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.
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Emergency responders transported Villanella’s brother to University Hospital where he was in critical condition as of Friday, authorities said.
A 25-year-old male driver from Belleville remained at the scene and has not currently been charged with a crime, prosecutors stated Friday.
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An investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
Lakeside Ave closed in Verona after serious motor vehicle accident involving pedestrian. More to come. @VCG_Times @northjersey pic.twitter.com/cPkONsPvri
— Josh Jongsma (@jongsmjo) March 3, 2017
Photo: Google Maps
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