New Jersey

Arrest Made in Fatal Hit-And-Run That Killed New Jersey Second-Grade Teacher

Investigators say the impact was so hard that Meghan Crilly was thrown 140 feet

What to Know

  • NJ man was arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an second grade schoolteacher earlier this year
  • Ibn Collins, 39 and of Linden, was arrested Tuesday in connection to the Jan. 20 incident that claimed the life of Meghan Crilly
  • If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in state prison; Attorney information for Collins was not immediately known

A New Jersey man was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run that claimed the life of a second-grade teacher earlier this year, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Ibn Collins, a 39-year-old from Linden, was arrested the day before and charged with aggravated man slaughter, death by auto within 1,000 feet of school property while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, hindering apprehension or prosecution and tampering with evidence, according to Acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan.

The arrest is in connection to the incident, which took place Jan. 20 at the intersection of North Wood and St. George’s avenues shortly before 2 a.m.

Mountainside teacher Meghan Crilly, 35 and of Fanwood, sustained severe injuries and was taken to a hospital where she died 11 days later.

Investigators say Crilly and three friends were crossing in the crosswalk of North Wood Avenue near St George’s Avenue after leaving a bar when Collins allegedly hit her. They say he ran a red light.

Investigators say the impact was so hard that Crilly was thrown 140 feet.

The hit-and-run left Crilly with spinal damage, a broken pelvis, a broken ankle, and a broken tibia, according to a GoFundMe page. Her spleen was also removed, her liver was lacerated, and she experienced internal bleeding. Crilly had to undergo multiple surgeries and was in a coma.

Monahan said Collins was drinking at his birthday party in the hours leading up to the incident.

According to Monahan, Collins used his job at a body shop in Westfield to hide his vehicle, a red jeep, and ordered replacement parts. Allegedly, he lied to the owner of the auto body shop and said he hit a deer.

Collins is scheduled to appear in court next week. The state filed a motion to have him detained prior for trial because of the seriousness of the crime.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in state prison.

Attorney information for Collins was not immediately known.

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