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Hugo R. Paz-Lajuj was identified as the driver who struck the 17-year-old boy on Oct. 14 around 6:40 a.m., at Brinkerhoff Avenue near 14th Street in Palisades Park, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
The boy was hospitalized with serious injuries and Paz-Lajuj fled, Musella said.
After a month-long investigation, detectives identified Paz-Lajuj as the driver and found his 2004 Honda Civic, which had reportedly been repaired in an attempt to hide damage from the collision, the prosecutor said.
Paz-Lajuj was charged with third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, hindering apprehension, tampering with physical evidence, and obstructing justice, as well as several related motor vehicle offenses.
Paz-Lajuj is being held at Bergen County Jail, pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
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