Have You Seen This Van? Essex Police Search for Driver Involved in Hit and Run Death in Nutley

Police are searching for the driver of a black Ford Ecoline Van who struck and killed a 77-year-old Nutley woman while she was crossing Centre Street on Saturday.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office released this image of the van today, urging any witnesses to come forward with information involving the hit and run.

As previously reported on Patch, Ernesta Fernndez was crossing Centre Street at Ravine Avenue, just before noon on Nov. 15, when she was struck by a van that fled the scene after impact.

“Ms. Fernandez sustained fatal injuries on Saturday, Nov. 15 around 12 p.m. in the 300 block of Centre Street,” Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray stated. “She was found in the street. We are investigating the incident to determine what occurred.”

Nutley Police Lt. John Rhein told NJ.com that the van fled the scene after striking Fernandez and was last seen heading down Franklin Avenue near Shoprite. Fernandez was pronounced dead at University Hospital, according to NJ.com.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC or the Nutley Police Department at 973-284-4940.