By: Richard L. Smith
A North Plainfield man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a Cranford bicyclist in Mountainside last week.
According to information released by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Mountainside Police Chief Joseph Giannuzzi, 35-year-old Fabian Parra was charged Monday, August 10, with second-degree vehicular homicide and second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.
The victim was identified as 65-year-old Rocco Della Serra of Cranford.
Authorities said Mountainside Police were dispatched to the intersection of Route 22 and New Providence Road at approximately 7:28 p.m. on August 6 following reports of a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist.
Investigators allege Parra was traveling westbound on Route 22 when he ran a red light and struck Della Serra before continuing westbound and leaving the scene.
Authorities further allege that Parra was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
Scotch Plains Police officers later located Parra approximately three miles from the crash scene and took him into custody.
Parra was being held at the Essex County Jail pending his next court appearance.