By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Middlesex County announced that two men have been charged in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on June 2, in the Township of Old Bridge.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said on June 2, at approximately 1:05 a.m., authorities responded to the area of Route 9 and Ferry Road in Old Bridge following a report of a fatal collision.
Upon their arrival, officials say, authorities located several vehicles that were involved in a serious crash.
According to officials, one of the vehicles was a Ford Mustang driven by Wilson Familia, 22, of Old Bridge, with three passengers, all of whom were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment.
Another vehicle involved was a BMW, and its driver, Benjamin Futerman, 32, of Manalapan, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition and released days later, officials said.
The front passenger of the BMW, Kristina Godich, 31, of Manalapan, was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities say.
Officials stated that all other drivers and occupants involved in the crash were treated at the scene and released.
Officials say that an investigation led by Officer Steve Connolly of the Old Bridge Police Department and Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Familia and Futerman were both driving their vehicles on Route 9 at a high rate of speed just prior to the collision with other vehicles on the roadway.
The investigators determined that the high rate of speed, in conjunction with aggressive and reckless driving, contributed to the collision, officials said.
According to officials, on July 8, Wilson Familia surrendered to the Old Bridge Police Department and was charged with one count of second-degree Aggravated Assault, one count of fourth-degree Assault by Auto, and two counts of third-degree Aggravated Assault for the injuries sustained by his passengers.
Officials stated that on July 10, Benjamin Futerman turned himself in at the Old Bridge Police Department and was charged with one count of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and one count of second-degree Vehicular Homicide for the death of his passenger.
Both Futerman and Familia were transported to the Middlesex County Courthouse, where they made their first appearances and were subsequently released on pre-trial Monitoring, authorities say.