Crime & Safety

Berkeley Heights Man Killed in Hit-and-Run on Route 22

Authorities seek public's help in finding motorist in North Plainfield incident.

An investigation is ongoing into the Saturday night hit-and-run death of a Berkeley Heights resident on Route 22 in Somerset County.

Darin J. Cole, 43, whose last known address was Washington Street in Berkeley Heights, was struck and killed Saturday night in North Plainfield, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said North Plainfield police responded at 8:28 p.m. to Route 22 West near the intersection with Wilson Road on a report of a man "leaning on the center barrier." Upon arrival, Cole was discovered "unresponsive and exhibiting injuries indicating he was struck by a vehicle."

Authorities believe Cole was crossing the westbound lanes toward the eastbound lanes when he was struck by a westbound vehicle, Soriano said.

Cole was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:52 p.m., according to MyCentralJersey.com.

A preliminary probe indicates that the vehicle was likely maroon and may have front end damage, including headlight and turn signal/marker light damage, the prosecutor said.

Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run is asked to contact the prosecutor's office at 908-231-7100; North Plainfield Corporal Dennis Kardos at 908-769-2937; or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' tip line at 888-577-8477 or www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE."

All calls will be kept confidential.


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