Newark, N.J – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda announced today an arrest in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl in Newark on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Erik Montesinos, 26, of Bloomfield is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim.
Video surveillance shows that Montesinos was driving a gray sedan at a high rate of speed at approximately 8:52 p.m. Sunday when he struck Zakiyah Dansby, of Newark, near the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Mount Prospect Avenue. A Newark police officer driving a black Ford Explorer, an unmarked Newark Police Vehicle, was traveling westbound on Bloomfield Avenue when the gray vehicle travelled past in the eastbound lane at a high rate of speed. The officer made a U-turn, and shortly thereafter, the driver of the gray vehicle struck the pedestrian. The officer pulled over to render aid to the victim and notified the Newark Police Division of the accident. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Montesinos fled the scene following the crash.
Later that evening, Montesinos contacted the Newark Police Division’s Second Precinct and told officers that he had been involved in a car crash. Montesinos subsequently turned himself in at the Second Precinct.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office/ Fatal Police Encounter Unit responded to the scene and initiated an investigation to determine whether the victim’s death occurred during “an encounter with law-enforcement officer” as required by statute and Attorney General Directive.
The initial investigation into the vehicular homicide was conducted by the New Jersey State Police with assistance from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation was recently transferred in its entirety to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for charging and prosecution.
These allegations are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
ERIK MONTESINOS
