"When you get out of prison, you will need to use the time to carefully decide if you want to spend the rest of your life back in prison" -Judge Ronald D. Wigler
By: Richard L. Smith
In a sad courtroom scene, 21-year-old Sharod Rogers faced the consequences of his dangerous actions that led to a tragic car crash in Newark's South Ward last year.
The incident, which involved a stolen vehicle and reckless driving, resulted in the loss of two innocent lives and injured three others. The court proceedings, overseen by The Honorable Judge Ronald D. Wigler on Tuesday morning, culminated in Rogers being sentenced to a lengthy term in prison.
He plead guilty on March 27, 2023 according to information from the proceeding.
The devastating events unfolded on March 31, 2022, when a stolen 2021 Dodge Charger, driven by Rogers, collided with an Acura at the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and Runyon Street around 4:30 a.m.
RLS Media arriving moments later, observed the aftermath of the crash. The horrific early-morning collision claimed the lives of Mr. Felix Valdez from Bayonne and Ms. Sharonda Deriso from Irvington, who were inside the Acura and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office tragically confirmed that the stolen vehicle also carried three teenage girls who sustained injuries in the violent crash.
Immediately after the collision, Rogers and another male passenger carelessly fled the scene on foot, leaving the Dodge Charger engulfed in flames.
After Newark Police captured Rogers weeks later, a subsequent investigation revealed his history of car thefts across Essex, Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic Counties, with nearly a dozen arrests related to such crimes. He has about 5 court cases pending for felonies, including occupying stolen cars.
Judge Wiggler scolded Rogers during the sentencing, saying his reckless driving exceeding 55 mph in a 25 mph zone led to the fatal collision.
"You caused the death of two people by driving 55mph on roads designated for 25mph traffic. You are lucky you weren't killed during the crash" -Judge Ronald D. Wigler
During the hearing, Rogers' defense attorney sought leniency for his client, attributing the actions to his young age and inability to fully comprehend the consequences. The attorney mentioned the personal challenges Rogers was facing, including a family member fighting cancer and the loss of another close relative, which, according to the defense, influenced his character to act positively while in jail.
Judge Wigler acknowledged the defense's argument concerning Rogers' age and agreed that the crime occurred while he was still young. However, he also pointed out that Rogers had already accumulated significant legal troubles as a teenager and as an adult, with nearly a dozen arrests for car thefts and felonies in his adult life.
According to the court proceeding, he also has about 5 pending criminal cases.
Rogers rarely spoke during the proceedings, but in a letter addressed to the victims' families and read by his attorney, Rogers expressed remorse and apologized for the tragic outcome of his actions. "I feel terrible about this and I am truly sorry," Roger's letter read.
After weighing about 14 mitigating factors and the gravity of the crime, Judge Wigler handed down the sentence.
Rogers must serve 85 percent of 18 years in jail for two counts of Aggravated Manslaughter concurrent with multiple other charges, and with a credit of 459 days already served.
The sentence aims to hold Rogers accountable for the lives lost due to his actions and to deter others from engaging in such reckless and criminal behavior.
A lone young female family member of Felix Valdez spoke courageously during the sentencing, expressing her grief and love for her lost friend. "I do not wish any ill feelings for Rogers, but, your honor, I want to say that I love and miss Felix. I visit his grave often and this should not be happening".
There were about 6 people in the courtroom representing Mr. Valdez.
Roger's family of about 7 individuals, including his weeping mother, sat somberly and listened to the sentencing.
As the courtroom cleared, the victims' families were left to grapple with the irreparable loss of their loved ones.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless joyriding in stolen cars and the importance of responsible decision-making.
The Essex County community mourns the loss of Felix Valdez and Sharonda Deriso. Community members offered support to the families affected by this senseless tragedy through our RLS Media social media pages.
The court's decision to hold Rogers accountable sends a message that reckless behavior will not be tolerated, and society stands united in its commitment to safer streets for everyone.
The state was represented by Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Romil Devang Amin.