8-24-2026 7:11pm

Watchung Borough - Man Arrested in Pedestrian Fatality Investigation

Donnella Tilery Editor

WATCHUNG, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and Watchung Borough Chief of Police Scott Anderle announced the arrest of Daniel Cole, age 32, of Piscataway, New Jersey, in relation to a pedestrian fatality that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026, in the Borough of Watchung.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 4:05 a.m., the Watchung Police Department received notification of a pedestrian struck on the roadway of US Hwy 22 West near Mountain Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a pedestrian in the roadway who appeared to have sustained injuries that were consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle. The driver of the motor vehicle in question had subsequently fled the scene. The pedestrian, who is being identified as a 56-year-old male resident of Brooklyn, New York, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team responded to investigate along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Watchung Police Department. Investigators from the Northern Regional MedicalExaminer’s Office also responded to investigate. The investigation is currently ongoing pending the results of the autopsy and the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team’s findings.

Detectives conducted further investigation that led to identifying the driver of the vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder, as Daniel Cole of Piscataway, New Jersey. On August 22, 2026, detectives obtained a Superior Court search warrant for the vehicle, residence and person of Daniel Cole. The Nissan Pathfinder was located at Cole’s residence and was determined to have heavy front end damage consistent with a collision.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on August 22, 2026, Daniel Cole was taken into custody at his residence without incident by members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Watchung Police Department. Defendant Cole was transported to the Watchung Police Department where he was processed on charges of 2nd degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident which resulted in death and 3rd degree Hindering Apprehension. Defendant Cole was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing on this matter.

Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank the members of the Piscataway Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief McKay, and Chief Anderle request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Watchung Police Department at (908) 756-3663 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code:SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the

Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or SCPO.TIPS. All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential.

Note: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.