California Man Arrested in Bergen County for Fatal New Year’s Week Hit-and-Run
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Lyndhurst NJ, a multi-county investigation has ended in the arrest of a 40-year-old California man following a tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of an e-bike rider in Mount Laurel. Thair Maroki was taken into custody in Bergen County on New Year’s Day, nearly four days after the deadly collision.
The Midnight Collision on Route 73
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025. Mount Laurel police were dispatched to the 1100 block of Route 73 Southbound at approximately 12:13 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 49-year-old Anthony Caprio III, a resident of Magnolia, who had been struck while riding his electric bicycle. Despite emergency efforts, Caprio was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Search for the White Jeep Cherokee
Witnesses and traffic data pointed toward a white 2022 Jeep Cherokee that fled the scene immediately after the impact. For several days, the Mount Laurel Police Traffic Unit and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office tracked the vehicle as it traveled north through New Jersey.
The breakthrough came on Thursday, January 1, 2026, when officers from the Lyndhurst Police Department in Bergen County located the suspect vehicle. Maroki was arrested without further incident.
Serious Charges Filed
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw and Mount Laurel Police Chief Timothy Hudnall announced the following charges against Maroki:
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Vehicular Homicide (2nd Degree)
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Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident (2nd Degree)
Maroki was transported from Bergen County back to South Jersey, where he is currently being held at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing.
Remembering Anthony Caprio III
Friends and family describe Caprio as an expert technician who loved working on cars and airplanes. He had recently fixed up the e-bike he was riding at the time of the crash. His mother, Michelle, shared that he had spent the day before the accident celebrating a belated Christmas with his family.
E-Bike Safety and New Jersey Law
This tragedy highlights the growing concerns regarding e-bike safety on busy corridors like Route 73. In New Jersey, leaving the scene of a fatal accident carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison. Authorities urge all drivers to remain at the scene of any collision to ensure life-saving aid can be administered.
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