LEONIA, N.J. — A North Bergen man is now facing an upgraded charge after a 77-year-old woman struck in a Leonia hit-and-run earlier this month died from her injuries, authorities announced Monday.
Osmary Jimenez-Luna, 34, was originally arrested on July 14 in connection with the July 10 incident that left Chong Soon Sim critically injured. Sim was found unconscious along Grand Avenue near Ames Avenue around 4:35 a.m. and was later transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.
Investigators determined Sim had been hit while crossing the street by a red 2012 Toyota Sienna, which fled the scene. Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Leonia Police identified Jimenez-Luna as the driver.
On July 18, Sim died from her injuries. As a result, the charge against Jimenez-Luna was upgraded to second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Jimenez-Luna remains in custody at the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.