The teenage driver of a car that flipped and killed an Emerson NJ high school student has been cited for a juvenile delinquency charge.
Bergen County prosecutors said that the 17-year-old suspect was behind the wheel of a Nissan Pathfinder that was involved in a catastrophic accident on Hasbrouck Avenue in Emerson, New Jersey. According to authorities, the suspect was driving at a very high rate of speed when she suddenly lost control of the vehicle.
The driver reportedly swerved, which resulted in the Nissan Pathfinder flipping multiple time. This caused the suspect’s best friend, who was a passenger in the vehicle, to be flipped from the Pathfinder.
The victim was an 18-year-old senior at Emerson Jr./Sr. High School. She suffered significant injuries as a result of the single-vehicle accident and died a short time later.
Both the suspect and a 15-year-old male passenger were able to avoid severe injuries in the crash. The male teenager was in the backseat of the vehicle.
Law enforcement investigated the accident and determined that the suspect was at fault. As a result, the suspect was charged with a juvenile crime. Had the suspect been an adult, she probably would have been charged with vehicular homicide or manslaughter.
Vehicular homicide can be classified as a second degree criminal offense. A conviction for an adult offender on vehicular homicide or manslaughter charges could potentially result in a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.
Bergen County prosecutors indicated that the suspect is also likely to be cited for numerous traffic offenses, including reckless driving, speeding, and failure to maintain lane.
Authorities stated that the investigation into the cause of the fatal car crash remains active and ongoing.
To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Charges Filed in Crash That Killed Emerson Student Stephanie Morgan.”