Woman Charged In Hit-And-Run That Killed South Jersey Man: Prosecutor

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Weeks after a deadly hit-and-run in Washington Township, the suspect driver was identified and caught, authorities said.

Destiny Esquilin, 26, was charged Wednesday with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal crash in the Nov. 4 incident.

Esquilin struck and killed the victim — John DeMarco, 58, of Turnersville — while he walked on Fries Mill Road near Joseph Drive, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office (GCPO).

Identifying the suspect took some time and community collaboration. Authorities released surveillance footage and incident details to the public on Nov. 15. Through that info, a concerned citizen identified the vehicle and driver for investigators.

On Wednesday, authorities found Esquilin and the 2021 silver Honda Civic at a home in Vineland. The vehicle had damage that was consistent with the hit-and-run crash, prosecutors said.

Officers took Esquilin to the Washington Township Police Department, where detectives interviewed her. She was charged and released with a future court date.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information can contact GCPO Det. Krystal Santiago at 856-384-5508, or Washington Township Police Det. Matthew Loudenslager at 856-589-0330 ext. 1176.

Tips can also be emailed to the GCPO at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us.