15 Years For South River Man Who Killed Boy, 14, Riding Bike

SOUTH RIVER, NJ — Michael Arena, 64, of South River, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for hitting and killing a 14-year-old boy last summer, and fleeing the scene after he hit him.

The fatal crash happened at 4:21 p.m. July 7, 2023: South River Police responded to the intersection of Whitehead Avenue and Russell Avenue for a report of a crash. Police found the teen boy had been struck by a white work van while riding his bicycle.

The white work van fled the scene. The teen was taken to a hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died. According to a GoFundMe started by community members, the boy was identified as Bryan Barbosa, a local South River boy.

An investigation led by South River Police Sergeant John Kenney and Sergeant Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office identified Arena as the perpetrator. That very same day of the crash, he was picked up by police at his home and taken to South River Police Department for questioning, where he admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Arena was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash and other related offenses.

On December 8, 2023, Arena pled guilty to second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene on a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death and second-degree Vehicular Homicide.

He was sentenced April 10. Upon his release from prison, his driver’s license will be suspended for a year.

Initial Patch report: 14-Year-Old Bicyclist Killed In South River Hit-&-Run: Prosecutor