Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the upgraded charges of a Bergen County Juvenile for vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Acting Chief Matthew Finck and the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Andrew McGurr.
As previously reported, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at approximately 7:55 a.m., the Teaneck Police Department received a 911 call reporting a two-car motor vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Palmer Ave and Sherman Ave in Teaneck, NJ. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit was notified. The initial investigation revealed that a 2015 Ford Explorer struck a 2022 Nissan Rogue resulting in the vehicles leaving the roadway. The Juvenile operator of the Ford Explorer fled on foot after the crash and was subsequently arrested by Teaneck Police Officers. The victim operating the Nissan Rogue, 40-year-old Dymond T. Fryson, was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ with life-threatening injuries.
On Friday, January 26, 2024, Ms. Fryson was pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries she sustained during the collision. At this time, the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
The Juvenile driver was originally charged with third-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1; third-degree endangering an injured victim, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.2; and fourth-degree assault by auto resulting in serious bodily injury, N.J.S.A 2C:12-1c(1). However, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the charges against the Juvenile were upgraded to second-degree vehicular homicide, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a; and second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1. The Juvenile was served with the additional complaints, released into the custody of a guardian and is scheduled for a first appearance in the Chancery Division, Family Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the Juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Teaneck Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Palisades Park Police Department and Rutherford Police Department who participate in the Bergen County Fatal Accident Investigation Unit Task Force for their assistance with the investigation.