Man Arrested in Connection with Bergen County Hit-and-Run

A Bergen County man was arrested Wednesday in connection to a hit-and-run that occurred in Fort Lee last week.

Joseph R. Zulueta, 36, of Closter, was arrested after authorities say he struck a female pedestrian, caused her serious injuries, and fled the scene on March 18, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

Stephanie Suazo, 27, of Cliffside Park, was crossing Hudson Terrace at 7:59 p.m. when she was struck by a black 1997 to 1999 Toyota Camry driven by Zulueta - who allegedly continued driving and fled the scene.

Police arrived and found Suazo “lying in the area of the driveway apron of the Northbridge Park Co-Op building on Hudson Terrace,” according to Molinelli. Suazo was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was hospitalized and treated for serious head and leg injuries.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit (FAIU) and the Fort Lee Police Department were able to determine the color and model of the vehicle after the hit-and-run was captured by local surveillance cameras.

On March 24, detectives received information regarding a suspect vehicle from Closter Police Department - a black 1998 Toyota Camry known to be utilized by Zulueta. Detectives then located the vehicle Wednesday and arrested Zulueta.

Zulueta was charged with one count each of leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim and hindering apprehension and/or prosecution. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Zulueta was remanded to the Bergen County Jail Annex in lieu of bail set at $50,000 with no 10 percent cash option.

The investigation is ongoing, according to Molinelli.