Driver Caught, Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Police have arrested a man who was allegedly involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Parsippany that killed a pedestrian late last month, authorities announced Thursday.

The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 near the Buffalo Wild Wings in Parsippany on Route 46, Parsippany police previously said.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said the pedestrian—later identified as Jelson Cabrera, 35, of Trenton—was taken to Morristown Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Prosecutors gave an update on the situation this week, noting that an arrest has been made in the case.

Davut Batca, 31, of Wayne, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.

Police reported that Batca, driving his parents' 2021 Toyota RAV4, struck Cabrera while he was crossing the street. By the time authorities arrived, Batca had fled, leaving Cabrera injured on the roadway.

Investigators also revealed that Batca fled the United States and arrived in Turkey in the days following the crash. Upon returning to the U.S., he was arrested in New York and is now being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility, awaiting further court proceedings.

Several law enforcement agencies have been involved in the investigation, including the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.