Prosecutors Charge Jersey City Man In Connection To New Year's Day Hit-And-Run

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced that the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run collision that occurred in Jersey City on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.  A female pedestrian was seriously injured.  The arrest was made on Thursday.

Suarez says Jersey City resident Matthew Small is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in serious bodily injury; assault by auto; and endangering an injured victim.   Small was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Secaucus branch and released pending his first court appearance.   That court date is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, 2025.

According to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office, “Shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Communipaw Avenue and Marcy Avenue. Responding officers located a female pedestrian, later identified as a 19-year-old Jersey City resident, with a serious upper body injury. The striking vehicle did not remain at the scene. The victim was transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment.”

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the investigation and arrest. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant, Small, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.