A 68-year-old man is dead, the victim of a hit-and-run in New Jersey last Friday, and the driver remains at large. The tragedy unfolded as Justo Pilco-Tenesaca was struck by a truck, pinned underneath the vehicle while horrified onlookers desperately called for help.
The driver, now identified as Wilson "Adrian" Morocho-Necta, 33, fled the scene on foot, leaving Pilco-Tenesaca to be rushed to a hospital with devastating injuries. Despite the frantic efforts of medical personnel, Pilco-Tenesaca succumbed to his wounds.
Authorities have since discovered Morocho-Necta entered the United States in 2019, crossing the southern border. He was subsequently issued a final order of removal by a judge and deported to Mexico.
However, Morocho-Necta illegally re-entered the country, evading detection and establishing a life here before the fatal accident. He was driving a truck belonging to HC Home Improvement & Construction at the time of the incident.
Complicating the search, New Jersey’s “Immigrant Trust Directive” limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. This policy, intended to foster trust within immigrant communities, prevents local police from actively assisting in the apprehension of individuals facing immigration violations.
Morocho-Necta now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and endangering an injured victim. Federal authorities are actively working to locate and detain him, but the directive presents a significant obstacle.
The owner of HC Home Improvement & Construction expressed profound shock and dismay upon learning of the crash, stating he was “friggin’ mortified” by the events. The community mourns the loss of Pilco-Tenesaca, while the search for justice continues.
