El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en febrero 1, 2021, Michael Pillarella, 26, de Manahawkin, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), and two counts of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1C(2), relative to a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Little Egg Harbor Township during the evening hours of January 30, 2021.
En enero 30, 2021, aproximadamente a 9:45 pm., officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the area of Radio Road and Baltusrol Court for a report of a two-vehicle crash with serious injuries. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Little Egg Harbor Police Department revealed that a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, operado por Pillarella, viajaba en dirección norte por Radio Road cuando no pudo tomar una curva en la carretera, cruzó la línea central, y chocó contra un 2006 Toyota XB travelling southbound on Radio Road. The Toyota XB was operated by a juvenile, and there was also a juvenile passenger in the vehicle. As a result of the crash, Ambos menores sufrieron heridas graves y posteriormente fueron trasladados en avión al Centro Médico de la Universidad de Jersey Shore en Neptune., where they remain listed in critical condition.
Pillarella was airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Trauma Center in Atlantic City for treatment of his injuries from the crash. A search warrant was obtained for a draw of Pillarella’s blood, and laboratory results remain pending. Pillarella was treated and released from the hospital, and was initially issued motor vehicle summonses for Reckless Driving in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-96, and Failure to Maintain Lane in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-88 on January 31, 2021.
An ongoing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Little Egg Harbor Police Department has resulted in the filing of additional charges against Pillarella for Aggravated Assault and Assault by Auto – two counts as to each offense relating to both juvenile victims. Pillarella was taken into custody today without incident by officers from the Little Egg Harbor Police Department. He was processed at Little Egg Harbor Police Headquarters, y transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean, where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
El Fiscal Billhimer reconoce a la Unidad de Homicidios Vehiculares de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Little Egg Harbor, Policía Estatal de Nueva Jersey, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in Pillarella’s arrest.
Se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..