Essex County Arrests Man For Fatal Hit-And-Run

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Essex County officials arrested a man on Friday in connection to a fatal hit-and-run.

Detectives from the county prosecutor's Homicide Task Force arrested 42-year-old Luis Cruz, of Nutley, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced on Saturday.

''This arrest was the result of old fashion police work,'' Murray said.

Officials charged Cruz with 2nd degree vehicular homicide, 2nd degree leaving the scene and 2nd degree failure to render aid in the hit-and-run death of 48-year-old Jodi DeSoto, of Belleville.

DeSoto is the widow of the late Essex County Superior Court Judge Hector DeSoto.

The defendant is being held at the Essex Correctional Facility pending arraignment. Hudson County Assignment Judge Maurice Gallipoli set bail at $200,000.