Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced an arrest in connection to the fatal hit-and-run accident in North Bergen on Friday, May 5, 2023. Yesterday, members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit arrested 30-year old Julian Palacios of Jersey City. He is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in death, a crime of the second degree. Palacios is also charged with obstruction, a crime of the fourth degree.
Suarez says Palacios was arrested in Long Branch, New Jersey, and is in custody at a local medical facility. When he is medically cleared, he will be taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny pending his first court appearance.
Suarez detailed the account of the incident as follows:
“At approximately 9 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department was notified of a motorcycle, with no apparent operator, lying in the road in the area of Granton Avenue and Liberty Avenue. Responding officers located an injured male – later identified as Joshua Huayamave, 23, of North Bergen – on 76th Street between Cottage Avenue and Tonnelle Avenue, several blocks from the motorcycle,” stated Suarez.
Huayamave was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:40 p.m.
The preliminary investigation found Palacios was operating a blue Honda Civic and was involved in a collision with a motorcycle operated by Huayamave. Palacios fled the scene.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department with the investigation and arrest. The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty
