Man charged in I-78 hit-and-run in Hunterdon County that killed Louisiana man, prosecutor says
READINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A New York man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 78 that killed a Louisiana man late last month in Readington Township, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson announced Tuesday.
Antoni E. Xicay Mazariegos, 24, of Nanuet, N.Y., was charged with second-degree death by auto, second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, and third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide.
According to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police responded on Sept. 28 to a report of a pedestrian who had been struck in the westbound lanes of Interstate 78.
When troopers and an off-duty emergency medical technician arrived, they found the victim, identified as Marshall J. Vizinat, 57, of Baton Rouge, La., who was transported to Hunterdon Medical Center and later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Investigators determined that Vizinat had been standing outside his vehicle when he was struck by a pickup truck with an attached trailer. Troopers identified Mazariegos as the driver and found that he allegedly fled the scene and continued traveling westbound before striking another vehicle after exiting the highway in Tewksbury Township.
Authorities said Mazariegos was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Mazariegos was later apprehended and released on pretrial monitoring with conditions following his first court appearance.
According to prosecutors, second-degree charges carry potential penalties of five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry penalties of three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
