By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities have arrested a 28-year-old Belleville man accused of striking and killing a pedestrian along McCarter Highway in downtown Newark Sunday evening before fleeing the scene.
According to information released by Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Mickael Esteban Barrionuevo Medina faces charges in connection with the October 11, 2026, collision.
Officials said 62-year-old Newark resident James Edward Kolla was crossing McCarter Highway (Route 21) at Edison Place in a marked crosswalk at approximately 7:44 p.m. when he was struck by a black pickup truck as the traffic signal was turning green.
The impact knocked Kolla onto the roadway, while the driver continued onto Market Street without stopping, authorities said.
Emergency responders rushed Kolla to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:11 p.m.
Investigators said Medina later surrendered to Newark Police.
He has been charged with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and third-degree endangering an injured victim.