Kearny Man Charged In Fatal Lyndhurst Hit-And-Run

A tragic story out of Lyndhurst in Bergen County.  According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, 29-year-old Kearny resident Steeven G. Novillo-Cabrera has been arrested on charges stemming from a fatal hit-and-run accident which took place earlier this week. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Lyndhurst Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard Jarvis.

According to Prosecutor Musella, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at approximately 9:49 p.m., the Lyndhurst Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle.  The pedestrian, identified as 57-year-old Lyndhurst resident George Arnold, was pronounced deceased at the scene.   The Lyndhurst Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, which responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation.

A press release issued by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office states, “The investigation revealed that a 2020 Honda Civic struck the victim as he was attempting to cross Ridge Road near the intersection of Milton Avenue. Following the collision with the pedestrian, the Honda fled the scene of the accident. Detectives identified Steeven G. Novillo- Cabrera as the driver of the Honda and determined that he attempted to repair the vehicle after the collision to conceal his involvement in the incident.”

On Friday, October 11, 2024, as a result of the police investigation, Novillo-Cabrera was arrested in Lyndhurst and charged with second-degree, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death; third-degree hindering apprehension; third-degree endangering an injured victim; and fourth-degree tampering with evidence; plus related motor vehicle offenses.   He was taken to the Bergen County Jail pending his appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.

At the present time the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prosecutor Musella credits the Lyndhurst Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation, along with the Tenafly and Paramus Police Departments, which both participate in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit Task Force.