Investigators say a Kia Soul struck the 31-year-old pedestrian before leaving the scene
JERSEY CITY, NJ – A driver accused of leaving a 31-year-old man seriously injured on a Jersey City street was arrested more than six weeks after the early-morning hit-and-run, with investigators identifying him as the person behind the wheel of the Kia Soul that allegedly struck the pedestrian.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said Santiago Mena-Gutierrez, 27, of Bayonne, was arrested Monday by members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit.
Pedestrian found seriously injured
The collision occurred shortly after 2:20 a.m. July 5 near Ocean Avenue and Winfield Avenue.
Jersey City officers responding to a report of a pedestrian being struck found a 31-year-old man suffering from serious injuries.
The vehicle that struck him did not remain at the scene, according to prosecutors.
Officials did not provide an updated condition for the injured man.
Investigators identify Kia Soul driver
During the investigation, authorities identified Mena-Gutierrez as the driver of a Kia Soul that struck the pedestrian, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Details about how investigators allegedly connected him to the vehicle and collision were not released.
Mena-Gutierrez was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus on Aug. 17.
Three charges filed
Mena-Gutierrez was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim and obstruction.
He was released pending his first court appearance.
The charges are accusations, and Mena-Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Key Points
- A 31-year-old pedestrian suffered serious injuries in a July 5 hit-and-run near Ocean and Winfield avenues in Jersey City.
- Prosecutors identified Santiago Mena-Gutierrez, 27, of Bayonne, as the alleged driver of the Kia Soul that struck the victim.
- Mena-Gutierrez was arrested Monday and faces three charges stemming from the collision.
