An Ecuadorian migrant accused of fatally mowing down a New Jersey pedestrian in a vicious hit-and-run is believed to have entered the US illegally twice, including once after being deported, federal officials said.
Wilson “Adrian” Morocho-Necta, 33, is now being hunted by ICE after plowing his work truck into Justo Pilco-Tenesaca, 68, and pinning him under the vehicle near Sussex Avenue in Morristown — before leaping out and bolting on foot around 7 a.m. Friday, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.
Pilco-Tenesaca, of Morristown, was rushed to a local hospital where he later died.
The suspect, meanwhile, remains at large as local police and federal agents work separately to track him down. New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive prohibits cops from assisting ICE during investigations.
The illegal migrant first entered the US in 2019 at the southern border and was booted back to Mexico after a judge issued a final order of removal, according to DHS.
Federal officials said he later re-entered the States at an unknown location and time.
“We are calling on the public to report any sightings of Wilson Adrian Morocho-Necta,” Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Wednesday.
“This illegal alien is the lead suspect in a hit and run that killed Justo Pilco-Tenesaca and remains at large. If anyone has information on the whereabouts of this illegal alien, they should immediately contact ICE at 866-DHS-2-ICE.”
Morocho-Necta lives in Morristown and was last seen wearing a white hoodie and jeans. He was driving an MC Home Improvements & Construction truck when he ran over the victim at a crosswalk, company owner Eric Couper told MorristownGreen.com.
Couper said he was “friggin mortified” by the deadly crash.
Prosecutors stressed that any actions following Norocho-Necta’s arrest will comply with both state and federal immigration laws.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is aware of the defendant’s immigration status,” an agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.
“We will be communicating and cooperating consistent with applicable New Jersey state and federal laws regarding immigration.”
Morocho-Necta is facing second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and third-degree endangering an injured victim — leaving the scene charges, county officials said.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200 or Morris County Crimestoppers at 973-267-2255.