On Monday, August 17, 2026, members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit arrested the driver involved in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a pedestrian in Jersey City on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Santiago Mena-Gutierrez, 27, of Bayonne, is charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1, Endangering an Injured Victim in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.2a, and Obstruction in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1a. He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and released pending his first court appearance.
Shortly after 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Ocean Avenue and Winfield Avenue. Responding officers located a 31-year-old male with serious injuries. The striking vehicle did not remain at the scene. During the course of the investigation, the defendant was identified as the operator of a Kia Soul that struck the victim.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)
