West Caldwell — Authorities have arrested a local man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred earlier this year in nearby Caldwell.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Theodore N. Stephens II announced that Angelo Lotrecchiano, 82, of West Caldwell, has been charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death and third-degree endangering an injured victim.
The incident happened on January 16 around 6:30 p.m. when officers from the Caldwell Police Department responded to the 400 block of Bloomfield Avenue following reports that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
At the scene, officers found Sharon Thomas, 56, of Caldwell, unconscious in the roadway. She was transported to Mountainside Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Witnesses told investigators that Thomas had just exited an NJ Transit bus and was crossing Bloomfield Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle. According to authorities, Lotrecchiano initially stopped and exited his vehicle but then returned to the car and fled the scene.
Investigators also determined that a second vehicle struck the victim while she was in the roadway. That driver stopped and remained at the scene, cooperating with authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
