LEONIA, N.J. — A North Bergen man has been hit with an upgraded charge after the victim of a July 10 hit-and-run in Leonia died from her injuries, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.
Osmary Jimenez-Luna, 34, was initially arrested on July 14 in connection with the incident. The charge was upgraded to second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death following the death of 77-year-old Chong Soon Sim of Leonia.
Sim was discovered unconscious along the side of Grand Avenue near Ames Avenue around 4:35 a.m. on July 10. Responding officers determined she had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. She was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with critical injuries.
A joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force, and the Leonia Police Department led to the identification of the striking vehicle — a red 2012 Toyota Sienna — and its driver, Jimenez-Luna.
Detectives determined that Sim had been attempting to cross Grand Avenue when she was hit by the red vehicle, which fled the scene.
After Sim died on July 18, charges against Jimenez-Luna were elevated. He has remained in custody at the Bergen County Jail since his arrest, pending a detention hearing in Bergen County Superior Court.