MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chatham Township Police Chief Steven Hennelly announce that William Barbosa-Ruiz, 62, Madison, was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death.
On Tuesday, January 3, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was notified by the Chatham Township Police Department of an alleged hit and run motor vehicle crash that had occurred that evening involving injuries to a pedestrian. The pedestrian, later identified as Giuseppe “Joseph” Stanco, 76, Glen Cove, New York, was subsequently pronounced as deceased as a result of his injuries despite efforts to render medical assistance.
A subsequent investigation was conducted by the Chatham Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation revealed that William Barbosa-Ruiz was driving his vehicle, a silver 1997 Nissan Sentra, on Shunpike Road in Chatham Township when he struck Stanco. This incident occurred shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3.
Barbosa-Ruiz was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, a crime of the second degree. He was also charged with numerous motor vehicle violations.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Chatham Township Police Department at (973) 377-0100, or the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
