Lakewood Hit and Run Suspect Charged

A Lakewood 34-year-old faces multiple charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident that left a volunteer with a fractured skull just over a week ago.

Silvestre Hernandez-Rugerio is accused of running Moshe Guttman over while the 24-year-old was helping a driver change a tire on Somerset Avenue.

Police say township resident Moshe Kugler, 24, reached them late Sunday morning, telling them that a van matching the description of the one they sought was on Fifth Street.

After determining that the 1993 Chevrolet Astro van was the one that struck Guttman, they apprehended Hernandez-Rugerio at his dwelling on East Fifth.

Hernandez-Rugerio is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, failing to report a crash, driving without a license and using a hand-held communication device behind the wheel.

Guttman volunteers time with the townwide Charveirim organization, which tends to people in need on the streets or in their homes.He is still hospitalized with a skull fracture and broken bones.

Late last week, Charveirim, Lakewood Police and township officials offered a joint $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver. The reward has yet to change hands.

There appears to be some question about procedure. A source in the township says only, "Its complicated." The source indicated that attorneys are poring over details.