Somerset County officials announced that the Somerset County Grand Jury has issued an Indictment charging Kevin D. Betyeman, 56, of Maple Street in Bridgewater Township with second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide, and two charges of third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, arising from a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred along Old York Road in Raritan Borough in September 2020.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the Indictment alleges that around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2020, defendant Betyeman was operating a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and traveling eastbound on Old York Road when his vehicle struck and killed Celeste Andresen, then age 60, of San Manuel, Arizona.
At the time of the collision, Mrs. Andresen was utilizing a well-marked crosswalk and attempting to cross Old York Road near Woodmere Street when she was hit.
The Complaint further alleges that defendant Betyeman’s blood-alcohol concentration was above the legal limit of 0.08% BAC several hours after the collision.
The two counts of third-degree hindering apprehension are based on allegations that the defendant denied, separately to two police officers, having consumed any alcohol.
Prosecutor Robertson stated, in addition to the Indictment, defendant Betyeman has also been charged by motor vehicle Summons with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the defendant will be required by Court Rules to appear before a Superior Court Judge within fourteen days for an Arraignment on the Indictment.
Prosecutor Robertson stated if convicted of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, the defendant would be subject by statute to serve five to ten years in State Prison with 85% to be served without parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
If in the alternative, the defendant were convicted of third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide, the defendant would be subject to serve a term between three and five years in State Prison.