Newark man charged in fatal crash on route 46 — Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — A 36-year-old man from Newark has been arrested on multiple charges, including second-degree death by auto, in connection with a fatal single-car crash early Sunday on Route 46 West in Hasbrouck Heights.

Jose M. Sumba Astudillo was identified as the driver of a 2019 Hyundai that struck a highway divider around 2:28 a.m., killing one passenger and seriously injuring another, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Authorities initially believed Sumba Astudillo was a passenger after he falsely claimed the driver had fled the scene.

Angel S. Uzhca Yadaicela, 57, of Elmwood Park, was pronounced dead at Hackensack University Medical Center after the crash, and a second passenger remains hospitalized in critical condition. Sumba Astudillo suffered minor injuries and was taken to the same hospital but later released into police custody.

An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and local law enforcement revealed that Sumba Astudillo was driving under the influence of alcohol and unlicensed at the time of the crash. In addition to charges of second-degree death by auto, he faces counts of aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, and providing false information to law enforcement.

Sumba Astudillo was transported to the Bergen County Jail and is awaiting a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.

Shore News Network Staff Report Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.