Jersey City Man Charged In Hit-and-Run That Seriously Injured Electric Bicyclist Earlier This Month

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, the Jersey City Police Department responded to the area of Summit Avenue and Jewett Avenue on reports of a hit-and-run crash involving an electric bicycle. The 17-year-old operator of the bicycle and his 18-year-old passenger were both transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment, with the 18-year old victim suffering a serious injury to his lower body.

Prosecutor Suarez says on Tuesday, January 18 the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of the incident.  An investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit determined the victims were struck while traveling south on Summit Avenue by a Toyota RAV 4, operated by Lara.  After the collision, Lara failed to stop and continued west on Jewett Avenue.

Lara has been charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor Vehicle collision resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and causing serious bodily injury in a collision while being unlicensed.  He was additionally issued motor vehicle summonses for leaving the scene of an accident, unlicensed driving and failure to report a motor vehicle accident.

Lara is scheduled to make his first court appearance February 28, 2022.

The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.