South River man arrested after 14-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run
SOUTH RIVER – A 63-year-old South River man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that left a 14-year-old boy dead near the intersection of Whitehead and Russell avenues Friday afternoon, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said.
Michael Arena was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash, Ciccone said.
The boy was riding his bicycle near the intersection of Whitehead and Russell avenues around 4:21 p.m. July 7 when he was struck by a white work van that fled the scene, Ciccone said.
The boy was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, Ciccone said.
More: South River police ask for public's help after boy, 14, killed in hit-and-run
An investigation identified Arena as the driver after he was taken into custody for questioning and admitted to driving the van at the time of the crash.
He is currently at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing, Ciccone said.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call South River Police Detective Kenneth Nale at 732-254-9002 or Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. Jonathan Berman at 732-745-4328.
Email: alewis@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South River NJ man arrested after 14-year-old boy killed hit-and-run
