Pedestrian Severely Injured in Early Morning Crash on Grand Avenue in Leonia
LEONIA, NJ, (July 10, 2025) - A 77-year-old woman was critically injured early Thursday morning in a hit-and-run collision in Leonia, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.
Osmary Jimenez-Luna was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run in Leonia that left a 77-year-old woman critically injured.
Authorities reported that the woman was crossing Grand Avenue near Ames Avenue at approximately 4:35 a.m. when she was struck by a 2012 Toyota Sienna minivan. The driver fled the scene, leaving the victim severely injured. She was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for emergency treatment.
On Monday, investigators identified and arrested the suspect, 34-year-old Osmary Jimenez-Luna of North Bergen. He faces multiple charges, including third-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury and fourth-degree endangering an injured victim, along with several traffic-related offenses.
The Leonia Police Department responded to the scene and is assisting in the ongoing investigation.
HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense, yet approximately 11% of all crashes in the U.S. involve hit-and-run drivers, according to national statistics.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety urges drivers to help prevent such incidents by staying aware of their surroundings, yielding to pedestrians—even outside of designated crosswalks—and giving ample space to cyclists when passing.
As investigators continue to determine the cause and liability in hit-and-run cases, legal experts stress the importance of early legal intervention. “It becomes essential to reconstruct the accident to identify all the parties involved and determine the circumstances that led to the accident,” said Andrew G. Finkelstein, Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices and an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney.
Finkelstein noted that insurance companies are often not aligned with the interests of victims. “Insurance companies are never on the side of a victim injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident,” he said. “According to the Insurance Research Institute, on average, an injured person who receives help from a lawyer ends up receiving three and a half times more money than those who do not.”
He added that a skilled attorney can guide families through the legal process, ensure accountability, and secure fair compensation for victims and their loved ones.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the victim may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Such injuries can profoundly impact a victim’s life, extending beyond physical harm to affect their overall health, social relationships, financial stability, and quality of life.
“People who get into an auto accident suffer unimaginable consequences in the form of mental and physical pain, and, in cases of fatalities, the victim’s family and loved ones are left devastated,” said Andrew G. Finkelstein, Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices.
“As a pedestrian accident victim, you will most likely face an insurance company expert who will attempt to place partial or full blame on you,” Finkelstein added.
He further advised, “It is always recommended that, as a victim, you don’t give statements right away after the crash to an insurance company.”
“You might be in shock, and anything said at the time may lower the chances of getting justice. Hiring an attorney will be the best route to protect your rights,” Finkelstein concluded.
If you, a friend, or a loved one has been hurt by a hit-and-run or drunk driver, reach out to our national legal analyst Andrew G. Finkelstein for a free consultation and trusted guidance.
(Andrew G. Finkelstein, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices to help you, please call 855-976-8163 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).