Family wants answers after loved one killed in hit-and-run

<p>A New Jersey family is hoping that the public can help police find the hit-and-run driver that killed their loved one.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 2, 2018, 11:43 PM

Updated 2,282 days ago

Share:

A New Jersey family is hoping that the public can help police find the hit-and-run driver that killed their loved one.
Brian Rossi, 28, was struck and killed by a vehicle in Moonachie Jan. 5. The family says that neither the suspects nor the two cars spotted leaving the scene have been found.
“Knowing that he was taken that way, it’s just not fair,” says his sister Stephanie Rossi.
Stephanie says that Thursday she collected a small bag containing her brother’s belongings that he had before he died. She says that she has not been able to open the bag just yet.
“I was just on the floor...I was so in shock,” she says.
Brian Rossi was found on Route 46 near Industrial Avenue around 5:50 a.m. Police say that they believe he was struck by a black Ford Focus. Cameras in the area caught the suspected driver meeting up with someone driving a Mitsubishi Lancer a short time later. Both cars drove off and were last seen in Hasbrouck Heights.
"You just constantly play the event in your head and you wonder where they are, you're always looking for the cars,” Stephanie Rossi says.
Brian was the youngest of six and the only son in his family.
"His smile lit up a room and his laugh was contagious and he's a really loving kind-hearted soul,” Stephanie says.
Officials believe that the black Ford Focus that hit Rossi is either a sedan or hatchback from between 2012 and 2015. It has significant front-end damage including a broken passenger side headlight and mirror.
Anyone who may have information about the crime is asked to contact the Moonachie Police Department or the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.


More from News 12
2:32
Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

1:59
Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning