OCEAN COUNTY – A Jackson Township man has been charged after authorities say he fled the scene of a crash that left a minor seriously injured in Lakewood.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Jose Perez-Parada, 35, is facing a charge of knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury.
Police responded around 8:30 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Hope Chapel Road and Hope Hill Lane following reports of a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. Investigators determined a Hyundai Elantra traveling north struck a minor before leaving the scene without stopping.
The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and remains in critical but stable condition, authorities said.
A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit identified Perez-Parada as the driver of the vehicle.
He was taken into custody at Lakewood Township Police headquarters and lodged in the Ocean County Jail, where he is awaiting a detention hearing.
Billhimer credited the involved agencies for their coordinated efforts in the investigation.
Authorities emphasized that the charge is an accusation and that Perez-Parada is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
