Probation – Vehicular Homicide

Vehicular Homicide

On August 6, 2022, Edison Police responded to a multi-car crash on Route 1 North and South in the vicinity of Town Square. Upon arrival, officers found a seven (7) vehicle crash, which resulted in the death of C.Y. and serious bodily injury to four (4) other people. Witnesses indicated that the defendant, G.P., was operating his vehicle aggressively, at a high rate of speed, weaving through lanes, ultimately causing the crash.  Police were able to secure video surveillance from a nearby business that showed the crash take place. Upon further investigation, the police came to the conclusion that G.P. was operating his vehicle in a reckless manner, at a high rate of speed and utilized the acceleration/deceleration turn lane to attempt to pass other vehicles. This reckless driving led to G.P. striking the rear of vehicle 2. After striking vehicle 2, G.P. then struck vehicle 3. The strike to vehicle 3 sent it directed toward oncoming traffic in the northbound lanes, ultimately leading to more collisions and the death of C.Y. Based on these findings, G.P. was charged with Vehicular Homicide 2C:11-5A and faced a mandatory period of incarceration for 5 – 10 years, of which 85% of the sentence would have to be served before parole.

There was extensive litigation for over a year involving experts and legal issues pertaining to the ultimate question of causation and liability. In the end, William A. Proetta, Esq. was able to convince the State to amend the charges to a third degree to avoid a mandatory state prison sentence. Then at the time of sentencing, Mr. Proetta was able to successfully convince the Judge to give G.P. a period of non-custodial probation.

State v. G.P.