Overview
- The crash struck two women who were using a crosswalk after leaving a World Cup watch party, and both were pronounced dead at University Hospital.
- Street surveillance video obtained by news outlets shows a red sedan racing through the intersection at Park Avenue and North 7th Street and striking the pedestrians.
- The suspect, 26-year-old David J. Zapata-Vera of Newark, surrendered to police days later and now faces counts including second-degree vehicular homicide and leaving the scene resulting in death.
- Zapata-Vera is being held in the Essex County jail without bond and prosecutors say the investigation remains open with no public finding yet on impairment.
- Neighbors and family members have mourned the victims and called attention to chronic speeding on Park Avenue, increasing pressure on officials to pursue safety measures and tips for the probe.