Lyndhurst Police: Driver Knocks Down Motorist After Crash, Flees

Jessica L. Sotomayer, 28, said she fled last Saturday's night's crash at the intersection of Valley Brook and Park avenues "because she lacked a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance," Capt. John Valente told Daily Voice.

The victim was in his car, stopped at the light, when it was struck from behind, Valente said.

When he got out to see what had happened, the other car knocked him down and kept going, he said.

He and other witnesses provided a description of both the driver and the fleeing vehicle, along with its license plate number, Valente said. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification also collected evidence, he said.

Detective Sgt. Richard Pizzuti and Detective Vincent Auteri conducted the investigation, which led to charges against Sotomayor of assault by auto, the captain said.

She also received several summonses, he said:

• Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident

• Reckless Driving

• Unregistered Motor Vehicle

• Uninsured

• Suspended License

• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal

A Nov. 1 court hearing was scheduled.

The victim, who was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center by the North Arlington Volunteer Emergency squad after the 9:37 p.m. crash, "has since been released from the hospital and was expected to make a full recovery," Valente said.

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