Hit-and-Run Driver ID'd as Caldwell Man, Cops Say

A 69-year-old Caldwell man has been charged in the hit-and-run accident on New Year's Eve that injured two teens, West Caldwell Police Chief Michael Bramhall announced Saturday morning.

James Bobowicz was charged with third-degree leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and fourth-degree assault by automobile, the report states. He was also charged with reckless driving, driving without headlights, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident.

Shortly after releasing a description of a dark blue Cadillac police believed was involved in the accident, a parent of one of the girls hit by the car received information about the possible driver, Bramhall said.

"The use of social media and the local press was also a tremendous resource to get the suspect vehicle information out to the public," Bramhall said.

The two girls were walking along Smull Avenue with five other teenagers when they were hit by a car that never stopped Monday night at about 8:45 p.m., police said.

One of the injured teens was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Det./Sgt. Shaun O’Dowd, Det. Michael Orr and Det. Paul Mazzeo made the arrest of Bobowicz and impounded his 2005 Blue Cadillac STS, Bramhall said.