By: Tracie Carter
A 20-year-old New York man has been charged after investigators determined he was allegedly racing another vehicle before a crash on Route 17 in Paramus left a woman seriously injured, according to information released by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
Authorities identified the defendant as Aiden C. Perez of Washingtonville, New York.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:53 p.m. on April 28, 2026, along the southbound lanes of Route 17 near the Ridgewood Avenue exit.
Paramus police responding to the scene determined that Perez was operating a 2015 Audi at a high rate of speed when he lost control while attempting to change lanes, causing the vehicle to collide with a 2019 Jeep.
Both Perez and the Jeep’s driver were transported to a local hospital. While the injuries initially appeared minor, authorities later learned the female driver of the Jeep had suffered serious injuries.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Fatal Accident Investigation Unit subsequently joined the Paramus Police Department in investigating the crash.
According to investigators, the joint investigation revealed Perez was attempting to race another vehicle at the time of the collision and was driving at recklessly high speeds before losing control of the Audi and striking the rear of the Jeep.
Prosecutors said the impact caused serious injuries to the Jeep’s driver, while Perez sustained only minor injuries.
As a result of the investigation, Perez was arrested on May 27 and charged with second-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree assault by auto, and related motor vehicle offenses.
Perez was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, appeared in Bergen County Superior Court, and was subsequently released pending further court proceedings.