Man Charged After Deadly Route 21 Hit-And-Run That Killed 20-Year-Old

A Garfield man has been charged in a deadly hit-and-run that happened last year on Route 21 in Clifton, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Jose Morillo, 58, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a death. The incident happened on October 4, 2025.

Around 8:12 a.m., Clifton police were called after a woman was found unresponsive along Route 21 North near the Route 3 West exit. Pieces of a damaged vehicle were found nearby.

The victim was identified as Kamaya Young, a 20-year-old from Paterson. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later determined she was struck by a Porsche Cayenne driven by Morillo, officials said.

Morillo was formally charged on February 2, 2026, and is waiting for his first court appearance. Prosecutors plan to ask a judge to keep him detained before trial. If convicted, the charge carries a possible sentence of 5 to 10 years in state prison.

Authorities stress that the charges are accusations, and Morillo is presumed innocent. The investigation is still ongoing.