Madison Motorist Charged With Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Pedestrian Accident

Published on January 04, 2017

Long Island Man Killed in Tuesday Incident

William Barbosa-Ruiz, 62, of Madison, was arrested and charged today with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, according to a joint statement by Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chatham Township Police Chief Steven Hennelly.

On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Prosecutor's Office was notified by Chatham Township Police of an alleged hit and run motor vehicle crash that had occurred that evening, and which involved injuries to a pedestrian. The pedestrian, later identified as Giuseppe Joseph Stanco, 76, of Glen Cove, New York, was subsequently pronounced dead as a result of his injuries, despite efforts to render medical assistance.(JPEG, 33KB)

A subsequent investigation was conducted by the Chatham Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office €“ Criminal Investigation Section, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation revealed that Barbosa-Ruiz was driving his vehicle, a silver 1997 Nissan Sentra, on Shunpike Road in Chatham Township when he struck Stanco. This incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on January 3.

Barbosa-Ruiz was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, a crime of the second degree. He also was charged with numerous motor vehicle violations.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Chatham Township Police Department at 973-377-0100, or the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Paul Merkler at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-285-6215.