Tyler Robinson
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Clifton Police Department, Tyler Robinson, a 20-year-old male from Lodi, New Jersey, has been charged in connection to the March 2, 2025 fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred in the area of Lakeview Avenue and Crooks Avenue in Clifton. Tyler Robinson is charged with Death by Auto, first degree; Death by Auto, second-degree; and three counts of Assault by Auto, a third-degree offense.
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the Clifton Police Department responded to the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Crooks Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle collision. Officers learned that a 2008 Honda Accord carrying four occupants collided with a 2011 Mazda CX-9 with one occupant. A 17-year-old passenger in the Honda Accord was pronounced deceased at the scene. The surviving victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Based on the investigation, detectives learned Tyler Robinson was operating the Honda Accord.
Tyler Robinson was arrested and processed on September 2, 2025, without incident. He is currently awaiting his first appearance at Central Judicial Processing on these charges. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
First Degree Death by Auto has a sentencing range between 10 and 20 years in state prison. Second Degree Death by Auto has a sentencing range between 5 and 10 years in state prison. Third Degree Assault by Auto has a sentencing range between 3 and 5 years in state prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released when it becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO, tips@passaiccountynj.org, or submit an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips.