Hit-and-Run Victim Remembered as a 'Kind Hearted Soul'

As authorities hunt for the driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash last month in North Plainfield, the victim from Berkeley Heights is being remembered as a "warm, generous and kind hearted soul who was loved by all who knew him."

Darren J. Cole was struck and killed Sept. 14 at about 8:30 p.m. while crossing Route 22 near the intersection of Wilson Road. A $5,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information that leads to the driver's arrest.

Cole, 42, grew up in Brick Township and graduated from Brick High School.

"Darren loved to surf, play golf and will be remembered by all as a warm, generous and kind hearted soul who was loved by all who knew him," according to his obituary from the Colonial Funeral Home in Brick.

Cole is survived by his fiancee, Maria Zachoda, and their son, Adam, who live in Berkeley Heights, according to his obituary. Cole is also survived by his former wife, Kim, and their children, Darren Jr. and Kendall, of Toms River, the obituary said.

Cole is also survived by his parents, Edward and Katherine, of Brick, and his brothers, Edward, of Brick, and Brett, of Lower Providence, Pa. Cole is predeceased by his brother, Jason.

"We loved him dearly," Darren Cole Jr. wrote NJ.com in an email. "He was a great person and he is and will be missed by us all so much."

Authorities are still looking for the driver of what they believe was a maroon-colored vehicle with front-end damage. Anyone with information can contact the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE."