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Nutley Hit-Run Victim ID'd As 22-Year-Old Paterson Resident: 'Wonderful Human Being'

A 22-year-old Paterson resident was killed after being struck by a vehicle in Nutley on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 14, authorities said.

Wiston Perlaza

Wiston Perlaza

Photo Credit: Wiston Perlaza Facebook

At 7 p.m., police were notified of a crash on the 100 block of Milton Avenue near the Garden State Parkway overpass, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II and Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said.

Wiston Perlaza was taken to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and pronounced dead soon after, Stephens and Strumolo said. A second pedestrian was also taken to a local hospital for non-fatal injuries, Stephens and Strumolo said.

More than $12,000 had been raised on a GoFundMe for the Perlaza family as of Friday, Feb. 16.

"It is with a sorrowful heart that we announce the unexpected loss of our brother, son, and friend Wiston Perlaza aka Bebe," Erick Ferrer writes. "Just 5 days shy of what would have been another rotation around the sun our angel received his wings."

Condolences poured in.

The investigation is active and ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential.

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