William Nash, 57, of South Amboy, died from head injuries caused by the crash, officials said
SOUTH AMBOY -- A Matawan man has been charged in connection with hitting a bicyclist, who later died, with his car in the township last week and then fleeing the scene, according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Francis Smith, 56, was charged Sunday with death by auto and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving fatal injuries, the statement said.
He was initially charged with DUI, aggravated assault and fleeing but the charges were upgraded Monday following William Nash's death at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, the statement said. Smith has been in custody since being initially charged by authorities.
Smith is accused of striking Nash, 57, of South Amboy, on Main Street on Jan. 17. Nash died the next day from head injuries he suffered from being hit while on his bicycle, the statement said.
Authorities say Nash was riding on Main Street near Route 9 when Smith -- driving a 2012 Hyundai Sonata -- struck him from behind.
Smith then fled but was later caught after his car hit a curb about a half-mile away, according to the prosecutor's office.
Charges against Smith came after an investigation by Officer Steven Clark, of the South Amboy Police Department, and Det. Donald Heck, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Clark at 732-721-0111, or Heck at 732-745-8842.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.