Arraignment in Summit Beating Death Today

Khayri William-Clark, an 18-year-old Summit teen, will be arraigned today in Union County Superior Court on one count of manslaughter in connection with the death of 47-year-old Abelino Mazariego.

A 17-year-old juvenile was also charged with manslaughter and is being separately arraigned in juvenile court, a proceeding not open to the public.

According to Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow, Mazariego was on a bench in the promenade off of Springfield Avenue on July 17 around 9:30 p.m. when he was approached by a group of teenagers.

The Promenade is a common gathering place in the heart of downtown Summit with benches, a fountain and artwork. It is located near the Tier Parking Garage on Springfield Avenue.

Colin Crasto, manager at Dabbawalla, said the restaurant was closed for the day on Saturday because of an off-site catering job. A few employees stayed behind at the restaurant to help prep what was needed and Crasto sent Mazariego home around 8 p.m.

Crasto said he believes Mazariego went across the street to Doria Pizzeria for a slice of pizza after work.

"And the next day he was supposed to come in," Crasto said. "Obviously he didn't show."

According to the investigation, the two teens facilitated the attack, said Romankow, causing serious injury. It appears to be an unprovoked attack, although the case remains under investigation.

Police were called to the scene soon after the attack where they discovered Mazariego suffering from severe head trauma. He was transported to Overlook Hospital and died on Tuesday, having never regained consciousness, Romankow said.

Mayor Jordan Glatt held a press conference Thursday afternoon at which he divulged some additional details about the incident.

Glatt said the Summit First Aid Squad transported the victim to Overlook Hospital. The family was notified of Mazariego's serious condition around midnight and he died Tuesday at 6 p.m.

"Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we cannot discuss or divulge any further details," Glatt said reading a statement. "But I can assure you that all investigative leads will be followed to their conclusion."

However some who know the victim and his family say that Mazariego walked to the parking lot next to the Summit Train Station and that is where he collapsed and eventually was taken to Overlook.

Colin Crasto, restaurant manager at the Dabbawalla Indian restaurant on Springfield Avenue where Mazariego worked as a dishwasher and food prep, remembers the victim as a humble man.

"He was very hardworking, gentle, punctual, always had a smile," Crasto said. "There was a big language barrier obviously because none of us spoke Spanish, but we overcame it."

Martin Mendz, a chef at Cafe Mavi where Mazariego's son Avelino has worked for three years, said the victim has two sons and two daughters, all natives of El Salvador.

On Tuesday after his father died at Overlook, Mendz says Avelino came back to work.

"Everyone was crying," Mendz said. "He said he couldn't stay there."

Crasto also said the family wants to bring the body back to El Salvador for burial. Mazariego's wife came by the restaurant on Monday asking Crasto to find out when her husband's paycheck, issued Friday, had been cashed.

As far he knows, Crasto said, Mazariego had no money on him when he was found but he and his employees are doing everything they can to help the family.

"It's a terrible, terrible thing to have happened to such a hard working gentleman," he said.

Anyone wishing to assist the family may make donations to the Summit Area Public Foundation, P.O. Box 867, Summit, NJ 07902.

"I wish to express  our heartfelt sympathy for the family of Mr. Mazariego and to pledge our support to help his family in their time of need," Glatt said.

Crasto, restaurant manager at Dabbawalla, has also set up a donation box for the family at the restaurant.