Fiery Crash at River Edge Intersection Leads to Assault by Auto Charges for New Milford Man
photo courtesy of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIVER EDGE, NJ — A late-night motor vehicle collision in Bergen County has resulted in multiple charges against a local motorist after his vehicle left the roadway, slammed into a building, and burst into flames early Wednesday morning.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, 35-year-old Johan M. Valencia-Restrepo of New Milford, NJ, has been arrested and charged in connection with the serious collision.
Details of the Kinderkamack Road Collision
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders encountered a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle had veered off the road and collided directly into an adjacent building structure.
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Injuries Reported: Both Valencia-Restrepo and his 32-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries during the impact. They were treated at the scene and transported via ambulance to a local hospital.
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Building Resident Injured: The force of the crash also caused minor injuries to a resident inside an apartment within the struck building. The resident was taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
Investigation Reveals Suspected Impairment
The River Edge Police Department, alongside the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, launched a joint inquiry into the cause of the wreck.
Preliminary findings indicate that Valencia-Restrepo was driving eastbound on Midland Avenue when he approached the Kinderkamack Road intersection. Investigators state he failed to negotiate the turn, causing the Chevrolet Equinox to travel straight off the roadway and into the apartment building.
Authorities suspect that the driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Legal Charges and Next Steps
As a result of the joint task force investigation, Valencia-Restrepo faces the following legal charges:
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Third-degree Assault by Auto (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c)
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Fourth-degree Assault by Auto (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c)
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Multiple related motor vehicle offenses
The defendant currently remains hospitalized under the custody of the River Edge Police Department. Upon medical release, he will be transferred to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office pending his first appearance at the Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella emphasized that these charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation saw collaborative assistance from the River Edge Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fatal Accident Task Force members from East Rutherford and Ramsey.
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