NEWARK MAN CAPTURED IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AFTER 3-YEAR MANHUNT IN DEADLY ELIZABETH HIT-AND-RUN

A Newark man wanted in connection with a deadly hit-and-run in Elizabeth more than three years ago has been captured overseas and returned to New Jersey to face charges, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced.

Authorities say 27-year-old Trevon Smith was arrested on December 1, 2025, in the Dominican Republic for his alleged role in a crash that killed 30-year-old Adi Taipe-Castillo of Roselle.

The fatal incident occurred around 2:47 a.m. on October 8, 2022, near the intersection of Newark Avenue and Durant Avenue in Elizabeth. Investigators allege Smith struck Taipe-Castillo and fled the scene. First responders found the victim critically injured, and he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

According to investigators with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department, Smith left the United States shortly after the crash. A multi-year investigation eventually led authorities to locate and apprehend him overseas.

Smith is charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and third-degree hindering prosecution. Following his extradition, he was transported back to New Jersey and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail pending court proceedings.

Anyone with additional information related to the case is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sgt. Nicholas Falciccio at 908-721-8186 or Elizabeth Police Detective James Lugardo at 732-967-4064.