Man charged in hit-and-run that killed pedestrian in Watchung
Authorities say the 56-year-old pedestrian was struck on Route 22 early Saturday and the driver fled the scene.
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A Piscataway man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian from Brooklyn on Route 22 in Watchung early Saturday, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
Police responded around 4 a.m. to Route 22 West near Mountain Avenue and found a pedestrian in the roadway with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. The victim, identified only as a 56-year-old Brooklyn man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the driver had fled.
Investigators identified the driver as 32-year-old Daniel Cole and the vehicle as a Nissan Pathfinder, prosecutors said. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Cole, his Piscataway residence, and the vehicle. The Pathfinder was found at his home with heavy front-end damage consistent with a collision, according to prosecutors.
Cole was arrested at his home without incident later Saturday. He was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and hindering apprehension.
The Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team, prosecutor Major Crimes Unit and Watchung police are investigating. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing pending autopsy results and the reconstruction team's findings.
