North Bergen Man Faces Upgraded Charges In Leonia Hit-And-Run Crash

Following the death of a hit-and-run victim, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella has announced an upgraded charge against 34-year old Osmary Jimenez-Luna of North Bergen. The upgraded charge is the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Leonia Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Tamagny.

According to a press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at approximately 4:35 a.m., the Leonia Police Department responded to Grand Avenue, near the intersection with Ames Avenue, after an unconscious pedestrian was found along the side of the road.  When police officers arrived, they determined that the pedestrian had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.  The adult, female pedestrian was taken by ambulance to the Hackensack University Medical Center with critical injuries.  Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with accident investigators from the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force, were notified.  They responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation with the Leonia Police Department.

Detectives determined that the 77-year-old female pedestrian was attempting to cross Grand Avenue when she was struck by a red vehicle that fled the scene. Detectives ultimately identified and located the vehicle in question, a red 2012 Toyota Sienna, and its driver, Jimenez- Luna, who struck the victim and fled the scene.

Jimenez-Luna was arrested on Monday, July 14, 2025 and charged in connection with the hit-and-run incident.

Musella says, sadly on Friday, July 18, 2025, the victim, identified as 77-year-old Chong Soon Sim of Leonia, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

Aa a result, one of the charges against Jimenez-Luna has been upgraded to second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.    He remains in custody, held since his initial arrest, in the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.

All charges in this incident are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.