By: Richard L. Smith
A West Caldwell man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a Caldwell woman earlier this year, according to information released by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Essex County Prosecutor 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.
Authorities said the incident occurred on January 16, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., when officers from the Caldwell Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Bloomfield Avenue following reports that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Sharon Thomas, 56, of Caldwell, unconscious in the roadway.
Emergency responders transported the victim to Mountainside Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
According to investigators, witnesses reported that Ms. Thomas had just exited an NJ Transit bus and was attempting to cross Bloomfield Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle.
Officials said the driver, later identified as Lotrecchiano, allegedly stopped and exited the vehicle briefly before returning to the car and leaving the scene.
Authorities also reported that a second vehicle struck Ms. Thomas while she was lying in the roadway.
That driver immediately stopped and remained at the scene to cooperate with investigators.
The investigation into the fatal crash remains active and ongoing.