Westfield Man Faces New Charges After Pedestrian Dies In Hit-And-Run

WESTFIELD, NJ — A Westfield driver is facing new charges after a pedestrian died in a hit-and-run crash he was involved in, announced Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez on Monday.

Angel Guzman-Morales, 54, of West New York, died after being hit by a motorcycle on Aug. 17, in West New York.

Samuel Collazo, 20, of Westfield is now charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death. He was previously charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, receiving stolen property, and unlawful taking.

Collazo is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending the State’s Motion for Detention.

Another ride on the motorcycle, Rylan Cook-Figueroa, 20, of West New York, was previously charged with endangering an injured victim and unlawful taking.

The fatal crash happened on Aug. 17 at around 3:40 p.m. in the area of Bergenline Avenue and 57th Street in West New York.

Officers found a male victim – later identified as Guzman-Morales – with life-threatening injuries.

The occupant(s) of the motorcycle - later identified as Collazo and Cook-Figueroa - fled the scene on foot.

Guzman-Morales was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on Aug. 24.

During the preliminary investigation, it was determined the vehicle was previously reported stolen.

Collazo was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Cook-Figueroa was identified as the rear
passenger.

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