Woman In Bergen County Hit-And-Run Dies, Charges Upgraded For Driver: Prosecutors

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A 77-year-old woman has died after a hit-and-run driver left her by the side of the road in Leonia on July 10, according to Hudson County prosecutors.

Prosecutors identified the victim Tuesday for the first time as Chong Soon Sim of Leonia.

Officials said that Osmary Jimenez-Luna, 34, of North Bergen was arrested days after the crash and is still in the Bergen County jail.

His charges have been upgraded to second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, said Hudson County prosecutors.

He had previously been charged with third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury.

Prosecutors had said that on July 10, a Thursday, just after 4:30 a.m., the Leonia Police Department responded to Grand Avenue, near the intersection with Ames Avenue. Someone had found an unconscious pedestrian along the side of the road.

Officers determined that the woman had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

She was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center. She passed away on July 18.

Detectives determined that the woman was trying to cross Grand Avenue, near the intersection with Ames Avenue, when she was struck by a red vehicle that fled the scene.
Detectives identified the vehicle as a red 2012 Toyota Sienna and traced it to Jimenez-Luna.

He is awaiting a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, prosecutors said.

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