Man Pleads Guilty To Hit-and-Run That Killed Jersey City Man

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Bayonne man pleaded guilty to the hit-and-run that killed a Jersey City man on Sept. 10, 2020 in Bayonne.

James Nichols, 51, of Bayonne pleaded guilty to one count of second degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of John Hagans, 50 of Jersey City.

On Sept. 10, 2020 Bayonne police were called to Avenue C and the area of 25th Street at for a report of a pedestrian hit with life-threatening injuries. Officers found Hagans at the scene and he was pronounced dead at 10:41 p.m. at the scene.

The investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Bayonne Police Department found that the victim was trying to cross Avenue C when he was hit by a dark-colored car that was driving southbound on Avenue C. The driver left the area.

The investigation revealed that Nichols was driving a Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed when he hit Hagans in the area of Avenue C and 25th Street in Bayonne. He was later arrested and charged by members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, the State will recommend a sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison and a consecutive two year driver license suspension. Sentencing in this case has been scheduled for Dec. 17.