Hoboken, N.J. police arrest Haskell man in Oct. 3 hit-and-run

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Hoboken police arrested a 25-year-old Haskell man in an Oct. 3 hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in a crosswalk at 15th and Hudson streets, authorities announced Wednesday.

Andrii Gustal, 25, of Haskell, N.J. — also spelled Gutsal in police records — was arrested at his Haskell home Tuesday, Oct. 27, after a follow-up investigation by Det. Sgt. William Collins, Det. Connor Milne, Det. Anthony Azzoline, and Det. Nicholas Protopapadakis of the Hoboken Police Department’s Detective Bureau/Street Crimes Unit.

Oct. 3 Crosswalk Crash and Charges

Around 12:55 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, officers responded to 15th and Hudson streets and determined that a female Hoboken resident crossing 15th Street in a crosswalk was struck by a dark-colored SUV that fled west on 15th Street. The victim was taken to an area hospital by the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps and has since been released to recover at home.

Gustal is charged with assault by auto, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and obstructing the administration of the law. Police also issued five motor vehicle summonses for failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to yield to a pedestrian, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident. After processing at Hoboken Police Headquarters, he was released on a summons.

All charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

City Officials and Intersection Safety Upgrades

“I would personally like to thank the officers who responded quickly to the scene the night of the crash, as well as the entire team of investigators whose work led to an identification and arrest of a suspect in a case that affected the entire Hoboken community,” Police Chief Steven Aguiar said. “Leaving the scene after hitting a pedestrian is a serious crime and I’m grateful for the thorough work and dedication that led to this arrest.”

“I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of the police department in ensuring the driver is brought to justice,” Mayor Emily B. Jabbour said. “I am grateful that our neighbor was treated quickly and continues to recover at home. This horrible incident only reinforces Hoboken’s ongoing commitment to road safety and eliminating all traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. In response to this near-tragedy, the City has already implemented safety improvements in the area and will continue working with residents and HPD to identify additional opportunities to improve safety throughout Hoboken.”

Following the crash, Hoboken’s Department of Transportation and Parking installed an LED flashing stop sign, reflective pavement markings and signage, flexible daylighting delineators at corners, and new pedestrian crossing signage at 15th and Hudson streets, with traffic calming coming to 15th Street in coming weeks.

Hudson TV asks: Are the new flashing stop signs and corner delineators at 15th and Hudson enough, or does 15th Street need raised crosswalks?
Share your take in the comments.