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Bayonne Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Hit-and-Run

Hudson County

According to Hudson County authorities, on Monday, October 25, James Nichols, 51, of Bayonne, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of John Hagans, which occurred on September 10, 2020, in Bayonne.

The investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Bayonne Police Department found that the victim was attempting to cross Avenue C when he was struck by a dark-colored vehicle that was traveling southbound on Avenue C. Officials say the driver fled the scene.

According to Hudson County officials, on Thursday, September 10, 2020, members of the Bayonne Police Department responded to Avenue C and the area of 25th Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. on reports of a pedestrian struck with life-threatening injuries.

Officials say the victim was identified as John Hagans, age 50, of Jersey City. He was pronounced dead at 10:41 p.m. at the scene.

According to the investigation, Nichols was driving a Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed when he hit Hagans in the area of Avenue C and 25th Street in Bayonne.

Officials say he was later arrested and charged by members of the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit.

Authorities say, pursuant to the plea agreement, the State will recommend a sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison and a consecutive two-year driver license suspension.

Sentencing in this case has been scheduled for December 17, before the Honorable John A. Young Jr., J.S.C., who accepted the guilty plea yesterday, officials say.

The State is represented in this case by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Baginski of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit.

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