Visitation Wednesday For Secaucus Woman Killed In Hit And Run

SECAUCUS, NJ — Funeral information has now been published for the Secaucus woman who was tragically hit by a car and killed last Friday night in Carlstadt.

A visitation for Deborah Ann Peko-Lillis will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 25 at Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094. A mass of Christian burial will occur at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 26 at Immaculate Conception Church, thence to Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road in North Arlington.

The man accused of hitting her with his car — and then leaving the scene — has been criminally charged: Justinian Cuevasmetemi, 70, of Passaic, was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim.

Peko-Lillis, 61, was born to Angela Peko (nee Tattuli) and the late James Edward Peko in Hoboken and has lived here in Secaucus for many years, read her obituary on Mack Funeral Home.

She worked as a database manager for St. Peters Prep in Jersey City, where her son was a student; the school headmaster described her as "a proud Prep mom."

Deborah leaves her loving husband William "Bill" Lillis; her devoted son Kyle Lillis and his wife Andrea; and if you asked her, one of her greatest achievement, her cherished granddaughter Francesca Rose Lillis. She also leaves behind her brother James Anthony Peko and his wife Jennifer; sister in laws Jeanne Spirito and her husband John, the late Carol Kowaleski and her husband Harry, Karen Pero and her husband Michael, and Diane Peterson and her husband John, her absolute best friends Susan and Mark Daniele as well as many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to St. Peters Preparatory High School or St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

Peko-Lillis is the sister-in-law of Secaucus Recreation Director Mike Pero.

At 10:19 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 Carlstadt Police responded to a 911 call of a crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Hoboken Road in that town. A Toyota Rav-4 struck the woman as she crossed Hoboken Road, gravely injuring her, said the Bergen County Prosecutor.

The Toyota Rav-4 then fled the area.

Peko-Lillis was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead as a result of the injuries she sustained during the collision.

The next day, Saturday, the driver of the car was located by police, criminally charged and taken into police custody.

Initial: Secaucus Woman Hit, Killed By Car In Carlstadt Hit And Run: Police