Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 25, 2024, Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno, 18, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Sean D. Gertner, J.S.C., to a term of 20 months to the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission as a result of his previously entered guilty pleas to Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023 – when Sanchez-Centeno was a juvenile. Additionally, Judge Gertner imposed mandatory fines and penalties, as well as a two-year suspension of Sanchez-Centeno’s driving privileges as a consequence of his previously entered guilty to plea to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
On August 3, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department arrived in the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious motor vehicle accident. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Manchester Township Police Department revealed that a blue 2007 Yamaha Motorcycle, operated by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, or Toms River, struck the rear passenger side of a 2005 Nissan Murano. The driver of the Nissan Murano – identified as Sanchez-Centeno – was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Following the crash, Sanchez-Centeno exited the Murano and fled the scene on foot; Manchester Township Police Officers thereafter discovered Sanchez-Centeno hiding in a nearby wooded area. He was taken into custody, and has been lodged a Juvenile Detention Center since August 3, 2023.
Mr. Schlinger, who sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash, ultimately succumbed to those injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Juvenile Attorney Anthony Pierro and Assistant Prosecutor Brandon DeJesus who handled the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.