file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Midland Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 47-year-old RALPH W. CASTELLANO III of Lodi, NJ on charges stemming from a fatal hit-and-run accident. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Midland Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Powderly.
As previously reported, on Friday, October 11, 2024, at approximately 7:09 p.m., the Midland Park Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on Godwin Avenue. Upon arrival, officers determined that the vehicle involved fled the scene of the collision. The struck pedestrian was subsequently identified as 70-year-old Paul Adams, whose last known address was in Wyckoff, NJ. He was transported from the scene to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was ultimately pronounced deceased. Accordingly, the Midland Park Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, which responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation.
During the investigation, detectives determined that a 2010 Toyota Tundra struck the victim as he was attempting to cross Godwin Avenue at the intersection with Witte Drive. On Monday, October 21, 2024, investigators located the vehicle in question and identified RALPH W. CASTELLANO III as the driver of the Toyota at the time of the collision.
As a result of the investigation, on Monday, October 21, 2024, RALPH W. CASTELLANO III was arrested and charged with second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, N.J.S.A 2C:11-5.1; and third-degree endangering an injured victim, N.J.S.A 2C:12-1.2A; as well as related motor vehicle offenses. CASTELLANO was transported to Bergen County Jail pending his appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Midland Park Police Department and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation, along with the Tenafly and Paramus Police Departments, which both participate in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit Task Force.
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The cops are usually so good but they’re making a rookie mistake with this case. Everyone knows that IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE PEDESTRIAN TO PROTECT THEIR OWN LIFE.
And I would say that to this person’s family’s face. Maybe put on a big banner and parade around their funeral with it. You can only do what you damn well please and ignore don’t walk signs, and jump in front of moving vehicles, and cross in the middle of the block without looking so many times before the laws of life catch up with you.
Maybe we should have cameras at some of these intersections
No. People need to learn to be responsible for their own safety.
no matter who is at fault, you must stop after an accident.
Not if it’s not your fault.