Hackensack man charged with fleeing Closter crash, as pedestrian clings to life

Authorities have arrested a professional cook from Hackensack for allegedly striking a 75-year-old pedestrian in Closter on Sunday while intoxicated and then fleeing the area, leaving the victim in life-threatening condition, prosecutors said.

Jesus Yunganaula Tenempaguay, 36, was charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and hindering his apprehension, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Tenempaguay is accused of striking the pedestrian with his vehicle near Durie Avenue and Legion Place in Closter on Sunday afternoon and driving away before police arrived at about 3:30 p.m.

Investigators from the Closter Police Department and the Prosecutor's Office searched for the driver, requesting the public's help before the probe led them to Tenempaguay.

The pedestrian was still clinging to life when prosecutors announced the arrest Monday afternoon.