PARAMUS, N.J. — A deadly hit-and-run near Garden State Plaza has led to a second arrest and a drug investigation after detectives discovered hundreds of THC cartridges in the SUV and trailer involved in the crash that killed a 31-year-old Bronx woman.
Michael C. Marciano, 47, of Fairport, New York, surrendered to authorities Friday, Oct. 23, after investigators determined he owned the Acura driven by the hit-and-run suspect and rented the U-Haul trailer that ran over Krisiann Reyes Rivera, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
Marciano was also driving a separate vehicle traveling alongside the Acura when the fatal crash occurred Oct. 19, prosecutors said.
The Acura's driver, Estuardo G. Rodriguez, 31, was previously arrested on charges including death by auto and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Detectives conducting a court-authorized search of the 2024 Acura and attached U-Haul trailer discovered several hundred THC cartridges, prosecutors said.
Investigators also determined Rodriguez unlawfully possessed one suspected Ecstasy pill and one suspected Percocet pill at the time of the crash.
Both men now face second-degree drug distribution and conspiracy charges.
Rodriguez was additionally charged with two counts of third-degree drug possession. He remains in the Bergen County Jail, where he was served with the new charges.
Marciano was also jailed pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court.
The arrests follow a fatal crash around 5:09 p.m. Oct. 19 on Route 17 South near Westfield Garden State Plaza.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez was driving the Acura towing the U-Haul trailer when it collided with a 2015 Buick carrying Rivera as a passenger.
Rivera got out of the Buick and struck a window of the Acura.
Investigators allege Rodriguez then accelerated while fleeing, striking Rivera, knocking her to the ground and running her over with the trailer's rear tires.
Rodriguez drove through the Garden State Plaza property before witnesses followed him and helped police locate his vehicle.
Rivera was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Rodriguez also faces charges of endangering an injured victim and driving while suspended in a collision resulting in death, along with motor vehicle offenses.
The investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Paramus police, with assistance from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and members of the county's Fatal Accident Task Force.
