By: Tracie Carter
A Passaic County jury has convicted a Wayne man in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian seriously injured and caused significant property damage, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced.
Nicholas Perota, 23, of Wayne, was found guilty of second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, fourth-degree assault by auto, and fourth-degree false reports to law enforcement following a jury trial before Judge Daniel Brown.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on September 9, 2023, at approximately 5:44 p.m. along Mountainview Boulevard in Wayne.
Authorities said Perota lost control of his vehicle, striking a fire hydrant, a pedestrian, and the front entrance of a nearby residence.
The pedestrian suffered serious bodily injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators determined that Perota fled the scene before police arrived, taking his pit bull with him and leaving behind the heavily damaged vehicle, which had crashed into the residence.
Surveillance cameras in the area captured the incident, prosecutors said. Approximately two hours later, Perota allegedly attempted to avoid responsibility by falsely reporting the vehicle stolen.
Following an investigation, Perota was arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on May 28, 2026. Perota remains lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 17.
As a result of the conviction, Perota faces a potential sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison on the aggravated assault charge. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), he would be required to serve 85 percent of any sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.