El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en abril 22, 2021, William Orr, 70, de merlán, se declaró culpable ante el Honorable Guy P. ryan, J.S.C., to Vehicular Homicide in violation to N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a, as well as and Driving Under the Influence in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, relative to a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lacey Township on September 28, 2018, resulting in the death of Elizabeth Patashinsky, 40, of Palm Bay, Florida. At the time of Orr’s sentencing on May 10, 2021, the State will be seeking a term of three years New Jersey State Prison with a three-year-term of parole ineligibility. This plea agreement was entered into after extensive consultation with Ms. Patashinsky’s family and in consideration of their wishes.
En septiembre 28, 2018, aproximadamente a 3:30 pm., Lacey Township Police were summoned to the area of Lacey Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Una investigación de la Unidad de Homicidios Vehiculares de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lacey, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, revealed that Orr was operating a 2018 Hyundai Elantra and traveling westbound on Lacey Road, when he crossed over the center line and struck a 2017 Nissan Sentra being driven by Ms. Patashinsky head-on. EM. Patashinsky was transported to Community Medical Center, donde sucumbió a sus heridas y fue declarada fallecida. A passenger in Ms. Patashinsky’s vehicle, William Muset, 66, de merlán, was transported to Community Medical Center, tratado por sus heridas, and released. Orr was treated at the scene for his injuries. He exhibited no signs of impairment at the scene, nor was he able to perform any field sobriety tests due to a back injury which required him to use a cane for balance. Orr was nevertheless transported to Community Medical Center, where he voluntarily consented to a draw of his blood.
En octubre 29, 2018, the toxicology results from Orr’s blood draw revealed the presence of four medications which had been lawfully prescribed to him: Alprazolam, Gabapentin, Oxycodone and Zolpidem. Although no alcohol or illegal narcotics were detected in Orr’s system, forensic toxicologists nonetheless concluded that the combined psychoactive effects of those medications made Orr unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle. En octubre 29, 2018, Orr was arrested at his residence by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lacey, and Manchester Township Police Department, and charged in connection with the death of Ms. Patashinsky. Fue transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean., but released by the Court on November 2, 2018 as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
“But for the compassionate and forgiving nature of the victim’s family – and their unequivocal desire to achieve closure after this two-and-one-half yearlong nightmare – this plea agreement would never have even been contemplated by this Office, let alone approved,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “It is only by the grace of Ms. Patashinsky’s family that we agreed to a sentence that is significantly less than what would otherwise have been recommended to the Court. This defendant should consider himself very fortunate that the victim’s family – in a show of tremendous mercy – requested this case be resolved is this manner,” Prosecutor Billhimer added. “I wish to remind the public that impaired driving is not limited to being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The combined effects of ingesting even prescription medications might very well have a deleterious impact upon one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. I urge all motorists who use prescription medications to exercise extreme caution before they drive; failure to do so may produce deadly consequences, as this case so painfully demonstrates,”, concluyó el fiscal Billhimer..
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco who handled the case on behalf of the State, así como la Unidad de Homicidios Vehiculares de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lacey, Departamento de policía del municipio de Stafford, Departamento de policía del municipio de Manchester, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, por sus esfuerzos de colaboración en relación con esta investigación, finalmente resultando en la declaración de culpabilidad de hoy.