Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced today charges filed against 17-year-old driver of the fatal crash in Emerson.
As previously reported to the public, on Wednesday, April 22, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Emerson Police officers responded to the scene of a single motor vehicle collision on Hasbrouck Avenue in Emerson.
As a result of a cooperative investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and the Emerson Police Department, it was determined that the driver, a 17-year-old juvenile, of the involved 2008 Nissan Pathfinder was traveling at what is believed to be a reckless, high rate of speed, north on Hasbrouck Avenue when control of the Nissan Pathfinder was lost in the area of Hasbrouck Avenue’s intersection with Chestnut Street.
The SUV flipped numerous times, leaving the roadway and coming to rest on its driver’s side in the residence’s side yard. As the vehicle flipped and left the roadway, the front seat passenger, Stephanie Morgan, 18, of Emerson, was ejected.
Ms. Morgan was transported to the trauma center at Hackensack University Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.
The driver and a 15 year old rear seat passenger were transported to HUMC in Westwood and Hackensack for evaluation and treatment but neither suffered serious injury.
Today, the juvenile driver was charged with one complaint of juvenile delinquency based upon conduct if committed by an adult would constitute the 2nd degree crime of vehicular homicide, a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.
The investigation is ongoing and motor vehicle summonses, for violations including reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane and failure to abide by probationary driver’s license requirements, will be issued.