$25K Reward Offered In Fatal Hit-And-Run Of Union Co. Teen

UNION COUNTY, NJ — It's been months since 18-year-old Rayan Bien-Aima was killed in a hit-and-run while trying to cross Route 1 in Linden. The driver involved in the crash is still yet to be identified.

While the Linden Police Department has closed the investigation, law firm Brach Eichler is working with Bien-Aima's family to locate the vehicle and driver that killed the 18-year-old from Rahway on April 25. Brach Eichler is increasing the reward for information about the hit-and-run to $25,000 from the original $10,000 offered by the Union County Crime Stoppers.

Read more: Union Co. Teen Killed In Hit-And-Run Identified: Police

If found, the driver would be charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, vehicular manslaughter and failing to render aid.

Originally born in Haiti, Bien-Aima came to the U.S. with his parents when he was seven years old. Prior to the accident, his oath of allegiance to become a U.S. citizen was scheduled for June 16.

Bien-Aima was a junior at Rahway High School and hoped to join the military upon his graduation next year, following his participation in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in school.

"He was just a model citizen, such a good kid," Edward Capozzi of Brach Eichler, who is handling the case, told Patch. "We just want to help this family [and] get some justice and closure here."

Capozzi said the intersection where Bien-Aima was hit, between Route 1 and Aviation Plaza North, has been classified as an extremely dangerous intersection. The Department of Transportation and police conducted a study on the intersection, which resulted in them widening the road, Capozzi said.

But when they widened the road, Capozzi said he doesn't think the walk time on the crosswalk was changed.

When Bien-Aima was crossing the road, to meet his mother at the laundromat on the opposite side, Capozzi said he only made it three-quarters of the way across the street when he was hit.

"It was kind of a reckless thing on that car's behalf, but maybe the reason is that there's just not enough time on that light to make it across," Capozzi said.

Capozzi said evidence shows that the suspect vehicle is a black, late-model Mitsubishi. Recovered from the accident is a damaged turn signal/indicator, a damaged headlight cover, a damaged front grille, a dented/damaged hood and a cracked windshield.

You can contact Brach Eichler Injury Attorneys at (973) 364-8311 with any and all information that you feel may lead to the identification of the vehicle involved.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.