Father’s false confession unravels as son arrested in mays landing hit-and-run

MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A Mays Landing man has been arrested after investigators uncovered that his father falsely confessed to a hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian critically injured and killed a dog, authorities announced Thursday.

Amir A. Jones, 20, has been charged with multiple offenses, including leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury and endangering an injured victim, after fleeing the crash that occurred shortly after midnight on November 30, 2024.

Investigators determined that Amir Jones was driving the vehicle that struck 25-year-old Syed Hoque of Absecon and his dog at the intersection of Highland Boulevard and Marlborough Avenue. Hoque was left in life-threatening condition, and his dog was killed. A passerby later discovered Hoque and called 9-1-1.

Amir’s father, Byron A. Jones, 52, initially confessed to being the driver but later admitted to fabricating the story in an attempt to shield his son. Byron Jones now faces charges of hindering apprehension and filing false reports with law enforcement.

The investigation, aided by digital forensic analysis, led authorities to Amir Jones, who failed to report the incident or seek help for the victim.

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