Morristown Man Arrested for Fatal Hit-and-Run: A Tragic Accident Leads to Serious Charges

Jermaine Edwards, 51, is in custody following a hit-and-run incident that left one pedestrian dead; multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated on the investigation.

In a collaborative investigation, authorities in Morris County have arrested Jermaine Edwards of Morristown in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident on Lafayette Avenue and Lackawanna Place.

Morristown, NJ - A tragic hit-and-run accident that occurred on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Morristown has led to the arrest of 51-year-old Jermaine Edwards, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson.

The Incident

At approximately 9:01 p.m., Morristown Police officers were called to a crash involving a pedestrian in the area of Lafayette Avenue and Lackawanna Place. Officers on the scene found a male victim who had been struck by a motor vehicle. Tragically, the victim was pronounced deceased, and the vehicle had fled the scene.

The Investigation and Arrest

Further investigation identified Jermaine Edwards as the operator of the vehicle that struck the victim before fleeing. Edwards has been charged with one count of second-degree Leaving the Scene of Accident Resulting in Death. He was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

The prompt arrest was a result of a coordinated effort among several law enforcement agencies, including the Morristown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities are still encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200.

It's crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this serious charge, Edwards is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This incident has sent shockwaves through the Morristown community and highlights the imperative need for safe and responsible driving. Local residents are mourning the loss, and the law enforcement community remains committed to enforcing traffic laws and ensuring justice is served.