Fatal hit-and-run on route 9 in woodbridge under investigation
Police at Crime Scene

Fatal hit-and-run on Route 9 in Woodbridge under investigation

Posted by
1 min read
October 31, 2024

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Authorities in Middlesex County are investigating a fatal hit-and-run after the driver of a vehicle fled the scene of a single-car crash on Friday morning, leaving a passenger dead. The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m. on October 25 near the intersection of Route 9 and Green Street in Woodbridge Township.

According to a joint statement from Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge Police Director Robert Hubner, police responding to the scene found a 2017 Kia Sportage with significant damage. The sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as 47-year-old Mario Ortiz Bonilla of North Plainfield, was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation led by Detective Jeffery Horvath of the Woodbridge Police Department and Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the driver of the Kia Sportage had abandoned the vehicle and fled immediately after the crash. Authorities have not released details on the possible identity of the driver or any motives behind the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, and investigators are urging anyone with information about the driver or the events leading up to the collision to come forward. Tips can be directed to Detective Horvath at 732-306-5982 or Detective Colonna at 732-745-3354.

The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made in connection with the fatal hit-and-run.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss