🚨 BLOOMFIELD MAN CHARGED IN FATAL HIT-AND-RUN THAT KILLED NEWARK TEEN
Authorities charged a Bloomfield man with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal crash after he allegedly struck a Newark teenager. The driver surrendered to police following the August hit-and-run that claimed the life of Zakiyah Dansby.
NEWARK, NJ — August 2026 — A 26-year-old Bloomfield man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he struck and killed a Newark teenage girl in a hit-and-run crash earlier this month.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Erik Montesinos, 26, of Bloomfield, has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim.
The fatal crash occurred on the evening of August 9, near the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Mount Prospect Avenue in Newark.
Authorities allege that surveillance video showed Montesinos driving a gray sedan at a high rate of speed at approximately 8:52 p.m. when the vehicle struck Zakiyah Dansby of Newark.
A Newark police officer traveling westbound on Bloomfield Avenue reportedly observed the gray vehicle traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The officer made a U-turn and shortly afterward encountered the crash.
🚔 The officer stopped and attempted to render aid to Dansby while notifying the Newark Police Division. The teenager was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities allege Montesinos left the scene following the collision. Later that evening, he contacted Newark police and reported that he had been involved in a crash. He subsequently surrendered to authorities.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Fatal Police Encounter Unit also responded to the scene and began an investigation to determine whether the death occurred during an encounter with a law enforcement officer, as required under state law and an Attorney General directive.
The initial vehicular homicide investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police, with assistance from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation has since been transferred entirely to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for charging and prosecution.
⚖️ The charges are allegations, and Montesinos is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
🙏 Garden State News Network extends our condolences to Zakiyah Dansby’s family, friends and loved ones.