Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, Warren Township Chief of Police William Keane and Bernards Township Chief of Police Michael Shimsky announced that a 17-year old juvenile from Newark has been charged with vehicular homicide in a motor vehicle crash that left a 14-year old juvenile dead.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Aug. 3rd, at approximately 12:59 a.m. the Warren Township Police Department responded to the area of Ashwood Court on the report of suspicious persons.
Officials say that during a subsequent investigation, a vehicle was located and observed leaving the area of Skyline Drive. When Warren Township Police attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, the vehicle failed to stop and took off at a high rate of speed.
While on Martinsville Road in Bernards Township, the vehicle left the roadway, overturned and rolled, striking a utility pole.
According to authorities, one occupant of the vehicle was ejected and subsequently transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced. The deceased has been identified as Alexis Pabon, 14, of Newark.
The second vehicle occupant, a 17-year old juvenile from Newark, fled the accident scene on foot and was captured a short distance away by patrol officers.
Officials say he was also transported to an area hospital with injuries sustained from the motor vehicle crash and listed in stable condition.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collison Analysis and Reconstruction Team, also known as C.A.R.T., responded to the scene to conduct the investigation with the Warren Township Police Department and the Bernards Township Police Department.
The ongoing investigation revealed that the vehicle the juveniles were traveling in was stolen out of Warren Township, New Jersey.
Over the past few months, Warren Township Police has received an increased report of motor vehicle burglaries and car thefts in Warren Township and the surrounding area.
Residents are urged to properly secure their motor vehicles and are encouraged to remove key fobs from vehicles when not in use.
The cause and manner of death of the 14-year old juvenile is pending an autopsy that will be performed by the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner Office in Newark, New Jersey.
According to authorities, charges have been filed against the 17-year old juvenile for 2nd degree Death by Auto, 2nd degree Eluding, 2nd degree Knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash, 3rd degree Motor Vehicle Theft and 3rd degree Unlawful Taking a Means of Conveyance.
Anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Warren Township Police Department at (908) 753-1000, the Bernards Township Police Department at (908) 766-1122 or via the STOPit app.
The charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.