Driver in fatal crash found, is cooperating, officials say

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Nutley Police Chief Thomas J. Strumolo have announced that the driver of the black Ford Econoline van believed to have been be involved in a Nov. 15 accident in which  a 77-year-old woman was killed has been located.

The man, whose name is not being released at this time, is cooperating with authorities. As of Wednesday, no charges had yet been filed.

The victim, Ernesta Fernandez of Nutley, was crossing Centre St. when she sustained fatal injuries. The investigation is active and ongoing. No other information is available at this time.

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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.