April trial date set in fatal 2022 Atlantic City hit-and-run

A new trial date is set for an Atlantic City man charged with leaving the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian in 2022.

Harris Jacobs was indicted in 2023 on a second-degree charge of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in a death.

Orlando Fraga, 76, was walking east on Atlantic Avenue when he was struck. He died at the scene.

Surveillance video shows Jacobs pull into the Dunkin Donuts parking lot and attend to Fraga twice, according to information Barbone provided during Jacobs' detention hearing the month of the crash.

Orlando Fraga

 

Jacobs left the scene after hearing a man he allegedly waved down on the phone with police.

But even if that is true, it wasn’t enough, according to the state.

“The defendant didn’t stick around to do his legally obligated duty, which is to wait for the police,” Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy said at a hearing in September 2022.

Jacobs appeared in Cape May County Superior Court on Tuesday, when a trial date of April 27 before Superior Court Judge Christopher Gibson was set 

The case was moved out of Atlantic County due to an undisclosed conflict in the courthouse, BreakingAC was previously told.

None of those involved seem to know the exact conflict. Jacob's father, Joe Jacobs, is a well-known political power broker in the state.

His uncle by marriage is former Atlantic City Schools Superintendent Barry Caldwell.

No plea discussions have been made public.

Atlantic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy said at a hearing in August that the defense knew where the state stands. "It's now in their court."

Jacobs was released with conditions following a detention hearing shortly after his arrest. Conditions included living with his father in Linwood.