Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello today said that the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit has charged two men in connection with a multi-vehicle crash which took place in Jersey City on Monday, July 21, 2025.
25-year old Jose Pepin Hernandez Jr. of Jersey City is charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a crime of the third degree; Endangering an Injured Victim, a crime of the third degree; Receiving Stolen Property, a crime of the third degree; Assault by Auto, a crime of the fourth degree; and Obstruction, a crime of the fourth degree. He was arrested on Beach Street in Jersey City by members of the United States Marshals Service and the Jersey City Police Department on Thursday, September 18, 2025, and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
The second suspect, 21-year old Kevin Badenath of Jersey City, is charged with Assault by Auto, a crime of the fourth degree. He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
According to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office, “Shortly after 10 p.m. on July 21, 2025, the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a crash on Kennedy Boulevard in the area of Claremont Avenue. Responding officers located three vehicles – a Honda Accord, a Honda Pilot, and an Infinity G37 – that were involved in a collision. Three female passengers of the Honda Accord were injured, one with a serious injury to the lower body. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot prior to police arriving on scene. Two occupants of the Honda Pilot suffered minor injuries. The injured individuals were transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment. The investigation determined Hernandez Jr. was operating the Honda Accord and Badenath was operating the Infinity G37. The Honda had been reported stolen out of New York City.”
Acting Prosecutor Mello says the charges are merely accusations and the two defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.