Reward Offered in Fatal Route 22 Hit-and-Run Crash

Crime Stoppers of Somerset County Inc. is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a driver who hit and killed a Berkeley Heights pedestrian on Route 22.

Darin J. Cole, 43, whose last known address was Washington Street in Berkeley Heights, was struck and killed Sept. 14 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 a maroon 1999 or 2000 SUV 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 Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.  

All calls are confidential.