Press & Media

Recent Posts

TOMS RIVER MAN SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON FOR VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 19, 2021, Roberto Sandoval-Guerrero, 38, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., to seven years New Jersey State Prison as a result of a previously entered guilty plea to Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5b(1), relative to the death of Daniel Cintron on September 5, 2020.  This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, meaning that Sandoval-Guerrero will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.  Additionally, Judge Gizinski suspended Sandoval-Guerrero’s driving privileges for a period of ten years as a consequence of his guilty plea to Vehicular Homicide; the suspension will commence upon his release from state prison.  Finally, in accordance with recent changes to the laws concerning Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”), Judge Gizinski ordered that Sandoval-Guerrero must install an ignition interlock device on the vehicle he principally operates for a period of one year following the expiration of the ten-year suspension of his driving privileges – as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to DWI in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.  Sandoval-Guerrero pled guilty to both charges before Judge Gizinksi on September 15, 2021.

On September 5, 2020, the New Jersey State Police received a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Garden State Parkway South at or near mile-marker post 86 in Toms River, with said vehicle then fleeing the scene.  The investigation determined that Daniel Cintron had previously been involved in a minor motor vehicle accident with another driver, Frank Puglisi.  The men exited their vehicles and were in the process of exchanging insurance information on the shoulder of the Parkway when they were struck by a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer operated by Sandoval-Guerrero.  Mr. Puglisi was struck on his left arm, while Mr. Cintron was thrown into the lanes of travel where he was run over by passing traffic.  Mr. Cintron was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Further investigation revealed that Sandoval-Guerrero continued to operate the vehicle southbound on the Garden State Parkway; he ultimately abandoned the vehicle on the shoulder and fled on foot.  Sandoval-Guerrero was eventually located in the area of Route 9 and Church Road and taken into custody. 

Sandoval-Guerrero was thereafter transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a draw of his blood.  Laboratory results received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office indicated that Sandoval-Guerrero had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .146 percent at the time his blood was drawn.  In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where his/her BAC is .08 or greater.

Sandoval-Guerrero has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension on September 5, 2020.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Leimbach who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, New Jersey State Police, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Sandoval-Guerrero’s guilty plea and state prison sentence.