Car Debris, License Plate Reader Help South Brunswick PD Nab Hit-&-Run Driver

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A 40-year-old Lawrence Township man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run that left a cyclist seriously injured on Ridge Road near Docks Corner Road on Sunday afternoon, police said.

South Brunswick Police responded to the scene at 3:07 p.m., where they found a 51-year-old Edison man bleeding profusely from head injuries, and with no memory of the crash, police said. There were no witnesses to the incident.

Sgt. Michael Leung, who arrived at the scene, noticed crucial evidence that would prove instrumental in solving the case. Among the debris scattered on the roadway shoulder were a broken passenger-side mirror and other vehicle parts that suggested the cyclist had been struck by a westbound car.

The injured cyclist was taken by EMS and paramedics to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He has since been released and is recovering, police said.

Back at headquarters, Leung began tracing part numbers from the debris found at the scene. His efforts paid off when he successfully identified a trim piece belonging to a 2008-2013 Toyota Corolla.

The investigation took a crucial turn when Leung had officers check their Axon Automatic License Plate Reader System (ALPRS), which is installed in every patrol car. Officer Jason Stonkus discovered that a 2009 Toyota Corolla had passed his location shortly after the crash occurred.

The vehicle showed telltale signs of the collision—a missing side mirror and front bumper damage. License plate records traced the car to a residence in Lawrence Township, police said.

South Brunswick Police coordinated with Lawrence authorities to locate the vehicle's owner. The investigation led to Carlos Romero-Garcia, 40, who was the driver at the time of the collision, police said.

Officers recovered the damaged car from a garage at a different location within Lawrence Township. Romero-Garcia was arrested and faces multiple charges including Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Serious Bodily Injury, Endangering an Injured Victim, and Assault by Auto.

Chief Raymond Hayducka commended his officers for their thorough and efficient investigation, emphasizing the challenging circumstances they faced.

“This is excellent police work. The victim had no idea what happened, there were no witnesses, and only a few items of debris. Sergeant Leung pieced everything together off one piece of car trim left in the roadway. Officer Stonkus located the vehicle on his ALPRS. The officers quick work tracked down the driver responsible in less than 5 hours. This is great police work,’ Hayducka said.

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