Candlelight Vigil Held For Clark Man Killed In Hit-And-Run

CLARK, NJ — The community came together on Tuesday night to host a candlelight vigil and mourn the death of 82-year-old James B. Leinbach of Clark, who died following a hit and run crash.

The vigil was held outside Leinbach's home on Raritan Road on Tuesday night. Candles lined the sidewalk and flowers, American flags and a United States Army symbol were placed on a road sign and along the front stoop to his home.

Angelo Farruggia who lived with Leinbach and helped care for him said Leinbach "was an exceptional person."

Leinbach previously served in the US Army and was a teacher in Irvington and East Orange.

The number of people who attended Leinbach's vigil is a testament to the man he was, Farruggia said.

"I hope he was looking down that night to see all the people here for him. This world lost a perfect person that day in a horrible way," Farruggia said.

Every morning Farruggia and Leinbach would get breakfast from the Clark Lunch Box on Raritan Road together. On Tuesday, Farruggia was running late and Leinbach decided to go alone, Farruggia said.

Just after 6 a.m., Leinbach, who lived in a nearby apartment complex, was found in the middle of Raritan Road and Clarkton Drive, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. Read More: Clark Man Killed, Hit-And-Run Under Investigation

Leinbach was hit by a car driving east on Raritan Road toward Central Avenue, according to the preliminary investigation.

The car fled the scene after the crash and remains at large.

Leinbach suffered serious injuries and was later pronounced dead, Ruotolo said.

This incident is under joint investigation by members of the Union County Homicide Task Force, the Union County Police Department Fatal Accident Reconstruction Team, the Union County Sheriff's Office, and the Clark Police Department.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Clark Police Lt. Christian Lott at 732-215-8447; tips can also be submitted anonymously at 908-654-TIPS (8477) oronline at www.uctip.org.

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