Juan Martinez Gonzalez
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Hawthorne Police Chief James W. Knepper announce that criminal charges have been filed against Juan Martinez Gonzalez of Hawthorne, New Jersey for his involvement in a hit-and-run crash that occurred in the evening hours on June 28, 2023, in the area of Wagaraw Road and Passaic Street in Hawthorne, New Jersey. Juan Martinez Gonzalez is charged with Second-Degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death of Another; Third-Degree Causing Death or Injury While Unlicensed; Third-Degree Endangering an Injured Victim; and Fourth-Degree Driving While Suspended.
At approximately 8:46 p.m., the Hawthorne Police Department received information concerning a hit-and-run motor vehicle incident in the area of Wagaraw Road and Passaic Street in Hawthorne, New Jersey. It was reported that a gray-colored Ford F-150 bearing New Jersey registration W73-MCN struck a pedestrian, later identified as Joe Bender, an 83-year-old male from Hawthorne, New Jersey. The Ford F-150 then fled the area. The victim was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. During the course of the investigation, detectives with the Hawthorne Police Department determined the driver of the Ford F-150 to be Juan Martinez Gonzalez. On June 30, 2023, the Ford F-150 was found abandoned in the city of Passaic.
Juan Martinez Gonzalez has not been apprehended at this time. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hawthorne Police Department ask anyone with additional information about this incident or the current whereabouts of Juan Martinez Gonzalez to contact us on our tips line at 1- 877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Hawthorne Police Department at (973) 427-1800.
Juan Martinez Gonzalez faces between five and ten years in New Jersey State Prison if convicted of Second-Degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death; up to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison for Third-Degree Causing Death or Injury While Unlicensed; up to five years in New Jersey State Prison for Third-Degree Endangering an Injured Victim; and up to eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison for 4th Degree Driving While Suspended.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.