Charges Filed in Fatal Bridgeton, NJ, Accident

Charges have now been filed in connection with a fatal accident in Cumberland County earlier this month.

Accident Timeline

It was around 6:00 on the evening of November 2nd when officers with the Bridgeton Police Department were called to the area of Garfield and South Avenues for a report of a pedestrian who had been hit by a vehicle.

The victim, 62-year-old Steven Calloway of Bridgeton, was initially hospitalized at Cooper University Hospital in Camden due to the seriousness of his injuries; he died on November 11th.

According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, an investigation revealed that the vehicle involved was a white pickup truck. Its driver allegedly was seen exiting the vehicle after striking the victim, looking underneath the truck, then leaving the scene.

• MORE NEWS: Pedestrian Killed on Route 9 in Absecon

Investigation Leads to Suspect

Investigators were able to track the truck at various locations in downtown Bridgeton using surveillance video, and they were able to determine that it was registered to 32-year-old Brayan Laverde-Torres of Bridgeton.

Authorities say the truck was eventually located in the backyard at Laverde-Torres' home, and the license plates had been removed.

Charges Filed

On November 6th, he was charged with the following:

• Third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury
• Fourth-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution
• Fourth-degree obstructing administration of law or other government function

On November 12, after Calloway had died, an additional charge of second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident under certain circumstances/accident resulting in death was added.

Laverde-Torres remains in custody and a detention hearing is set for November 18th.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can contact Det. Alexander Caccese of the Bridgeton Police Department at (856) 451-0033.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.