NEWARK, N.J. (TNND) — A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed two women on Saturday night.
Authorities identified the suspect as David J. Zapata-Vera of Newark, who surrendered to police on Tuesday. He faces two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and other charges, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Prosecutors report that Zapata-Vera struck the women, Mariana Elizabeth Valverde Beltran, 58, and Maria Isabel DeLosAngeles Salgado Ayala, 61, while they were in a crosswalk. Both victims were transported to University Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Witnesses stated the women had recently left a World Cup watch party prior to the incident. Video footage obtained by media outlets shows the vehicle speeding through the intersection, with the victims being thrown into the air upon impact.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about the crash to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC.
The investigation is ongoing.