Somerset County officials have announced the arrest of Bryant D. Eggleston, 51, of Plainfield.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson stated that on October 8, 2019, at approximately 6:50 p.m. Watchung Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a pedestrian struck on Valley Road by a motor vehicle that fled from the scene.
Responding Watchung Police Officers located a 12-year-old male juvenile victim with serious bodily injuries resulting from being struck by a motor vehicle.
Responding Watchung Officers along with medical personnel provided emergency aid to the victim who was transported to a trauma center for emergency treatment. The juvenile victim survived the event.
According to officials, investigators from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) along with Watchung Police Detectives responded to conduct the investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of a fifteen-month investigation into the hit and run the investigation revealed that a white 2013 Hyundai Sonata, was the vehicle involved that struck the 12-year-old pedestrian male juvenile victim.
Subsequent follow-up investigation resulted in the identification of the vehicle’s owner and operator at the time of the event as Bryant D. Eggleston, who fled the motor vehicle accident scene immediately after the collision with the pedestrian.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, February 2, Watchung Police detectives assigned to the investigation located and arrested defendant Eggleston without incident at his residence in Plainfield.
Officials said that Eggleston was charged with third-degree Assault by Auto, third-degree Endangering an Injured Victim, fourth-degree Hindering Apprehension, fourth-degree Tampering with Evidence and Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident. Defendant Eggleston was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Kelly request anyone with information relating to the hit and run investigation to contact the Watchung Police Department at (908) 756-3663, all calls will be kept confidential.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.