Jose Tremols-Acosta
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jose Tremols-Acosta, was charged on October 5, 2023 in connection to the fatal hit and run which occurred on October 5, 2023 in the area of Broadway and Rosa Parks Blvd in the City of Paterson. Mr. Jose TremolsAcosta was charged with Death by Auto, second degree, Aggravated Assault by Auto, fourth degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death, second degree, and two counts of Endangering an Injured Victim.
On October 5, 2023 at approximately 12:07 p.m. Jose Tremols-Acosta, 62-years-old from Paterson, was driving at a high-rate of speed, swerving across double yellow lines, ultimately driving onto a sidewalk where he struck two individuals. Following the collision, TremolsAcosta left the scene on foot and was apprehended by Paterson Officers a short time later. The victims include an unidentified female and Joseph Shaw, and 83-year-old male from Paterson. The as yet to be identified female was pronounced deceased at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. Mr. Shaw is currently in critical condition.
Mr. Tremols-Acosta is currently in custody at the Bergen County Jail awaiting his first appearance at Central Judicial Processing. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
The crime of Death By Auto has a sentencing range from a minimum of 5 years up to 10 years imprisonment; Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison; Endangering An Injured Victim has a sentencing range of 3 to 5 years, and Aggravated Assault by Auto has a sentence range of up to 18 months in prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.