By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Middlesex County announced that Yvenson Louis, 32, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced on June 12, 2024, in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on March 27, 2023.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone stated on March 27, 2023, at approximately 2:42 a.m., the New Jersey State Police responded to the South-bound side of the New Jersey Turnpike at mile marker 87.5 following the report of a crash.
Upon their arrival, officials said that authorities had located two vehicles: a 2012 Dodge Journey that had impacted the rear of a 2019 Volvo TNR Tractor-Trailer.
Officials stated as a result of the crash, Teyonna Balkman, 23, of Philadelphia, PA, a passenger in the Dodge, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
An investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Silvestre of the New Jersey State Police, which determined that Yvenson Louis, 32, of Philadelphia, PA., was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana while driving the 2012 Dodge Journey when he rear-ended the Tractor-Trailer a high rate of speed, officials said.
Authorities say the impact of the crash caused the front-seat passenger, Balkman, to sustain serious injuries, which led to her death.
According to officials, the driver, Louis, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University for treatment.
The other passengers of the Dodge and the driver of the Tractor-Trailer were unharmed in the crash, officials say.
Officials stated that on June 22, 2023, Louis was arrested and charged with first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and second-degree Vehicular Homicide.
Louis pled guilty on April 8, 2024, to second-degree Vehicular Homicide and Driving Under the Influence, officials said.
Officials say Louis was sentenced on June 12, 2024, by the Honorable Thomas Abode, J.S.C., to 3 years in the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which means he will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Louis will be on parole supervision for three years upon his release from prison and will have his New Jersey driving privileges suspended for five years upon his release, authorities say.