NEWARK, N.J. (TNND) — A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed two women crossing a street in Newark on Saturday night.
Authorities identified the suspect as David J. Zapata-Vera, a Newark resident, who surrendered to police on Tuesday. He faces charges including two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Zapata-Vera struck the women, Mariana Elizabeth Valverde Beltran, 58, and Maria Isabel DeLosAngeles Salgado Ayala, 61, while they were in a crosswalk. They were transported to University Hospital, where they later died from their injuries.
Witnesses reported that the women were leaving a World Cup watch party when the incident occurred. Eyewitness video obtained by WABC showed the vehicle speeding through the intersection, causing the women to be thrown from the impact.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is encouraging anyone with information to contact their Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.