An Egg Harbor Township woman was indicted and arrested for vehicular homicide last week in connection with the 2014 collision in Pleasantville that involved the car she was driving and a New Jersey Transit bus—a crash that resulted in the deaths of three teenaged passengers, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Melissa Rodriguez, 20, of the 1500 block of Ocean Heights Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, on three counts of Vehicular Homicide—crimes of the 2nd degree, and two counts of Assault by Auto—4th degree crimes, in connection with the motor vehicle crash that killed three of her passengers and injured the other two.
On Monday, May 26, 2014 at 1:49 p.m., police, fire, and emergency medical services from Pleasantville and surrounding municipalities responded to a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a New Jersey Transit bus on Franklin Boulevard, near the intersection of Old Turnpike Road.
A red 1993 Toyota Camry driven by Melissa Rodriguez, then 18 years-old and residing in Pleasantville, was moving northbound on Franklin Boulevard with five (5) passengers when it crossed the center line and struck the bus moving in the opposite direction in the southbound lane. The bus was transporting eight (8) passengers at the time of the accident.
Two passengers of Rodriguez’s vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene: an 18 year-old male from Absecon, and a 14 year-old female from Pleasantville.
The driver and three surviving passengers of the car, the bus driver, and several bus passengers were transported for treatment to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Campus.
A third passenger of Rodriguez’ vehicle, a 16 year-old female, from Pleasantville, was pronounced dead at the ACRMC-Intensive Care Unit at 12:08 a.m. the next morning.
A joint investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Pleasantville Police Department and the New Jersey Transit Police Department resulted in the Atlantic County Prosecutor authorizing the direct presentment to an Atlantic County Grand Jury last Wednesday of 5 criminal counts against Melissa Rodriguez:
3 counts of Vehicular Homicide, for operating a vehicle recklessly and causing the deaths of three victims—a 2nd degree crime, and
2 counts of Assault by Auto, for driving a vehicle recklessly and causing serious bodily injury to two victims—a 4th degree crime.
On Friday, April 8, 2016, Detectives at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office arrested Rodriguez in Mays Landing on a warrant upon indictment. She was subsequently lodged by detectives in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $50,000 cash or bond bail, set by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury.
Rodriguez was released later that day, when bail was posted.
Rodriguez’s first court appearance is not yet scheduled.
The potential penalty if convicted of a 2nd degree crime is 5-10 years of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison.
The potential penalty for a 4th degree conviction is up to 18 months of imprisonment.