23-Year-Old Woodbridge Man Sentenced To State Prison Striking & Killing A Woman With His Car & Fleeing
Thursday, June 6, 2024, 8:45 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WOODBRIDGE, NJ.- Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone reported, on Monday, that a 23-year-old Woodbridge, New Jersey man was sentenced to State Prison in connection with a Woodbridge fatal crash that occurred on August 31, 2023.
On August 31, 2023, shortly after 5:30 p.m., members of the Woodbridge Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a hit-and-run at the intersection of Woodbridge Center Drive and Plaza Drive in Woodbridge.
Upon arrival, Police Officers found a woman, identified as Kristen Bruschi, 45, of Fords, New Jersey, who had been struck by a Black Ford Mustang, while she was walking her bicycle across the intersection. After striking Ms. Brushi, the Mustang fled the scene. Ms. Brushi was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where she remained until succumbing to her injuries and pronounced deceased.
An investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Woodbridge Police Department were able to identify Antonio Rivera as the driver of the Mustang. Following the identification, on September 1, 2023, Detectives brought Rivera to Woodbridge Police Headquarters for questioning at which time he admitted to driving the Mustang at the time of the crash. Rivera was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash; and other related charges.
On March 11, 2024, Rivera pleaded guilty to second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death; and fourth-degree Creating a False Report to Law Enforcement. On Monday, June 3, 2024, Rivera appeared in Middlesex County Superior Court and was sentenced to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison for the second-degree charge and sentenced to 1-year in prison for the fourth-degree charge which will run concurrently with the 5-year term.
FILED UNDER: JUNE 6, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MIDDLESEX: