Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Ike Odumuko, 29, of Newark has been arrested and charged with first degree vehicular homicide and second degree reckless manslaughter in connection with the death of Damaris Mercado, 41, of Newark.
According to authorities, on Saturday, Aug. 27, Mercado was standing outside her parked Chevy Suburban in the 100 block of Broadway when Odumuko struck her vehicle pinning her under the under carriage of her car.
She sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Odumuko was transported to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Blood test indicated he was driving under the influence authorities said.
Odumuko is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Sept. 2 before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, at 11 am, according to Assistant Prosecutor Berta Rodriguez, who is handling the case.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.