Toms River man charged with vehicular homicide after crash kills motorcyclist
TOMS RIVER - A Toms River man has been charged after authorities say he was involved in a hit and run that left a motorcyclist with fatal injuries, all while he was unlicensed to drive, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Friday.
Yasmin Sanchez-Centeno, 22, of Toms River, was charged with vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, and being an unlicensed driver involved in a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, Billhimer said, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash in Manchester Township on August 3.
Around 10:00 p.m. on August 3, Manchester Township Police responded to the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash, Billhimer said. Officers determined that a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2005 Nissan Murano were involved in a crash, and the driver of the Nissan Murano had fled the scene.
An investigation found that the motorcycle was being driven by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, of Toms River, and was traveling eastbound on Route 37, the prosecutor said. The Nissan Murano, driven by Sanchez-Centeno, pulled out onto Route 37 - failing to yield to the motorcycle. The motorcycle was unable to avoid a collision and struck the rear passenger side door of the Nissan Murano.
As a result, Schlinger suffered serious injuries and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to those injuries, Billhimer said.
Further investigation revealed that after the crash, Sanchez-Centeno continued eastbound on Route 37 until his car became inoperable, according to the announcement. He got out of the car and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, but was ultimately located by Manchester Police.
Once apprehended, police administered standardized field sobriety tests to Sanchez-Centeno - all of which he failed, Billhimer said. Sanchez-Centeno was then taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Sanchez-Centeno was then taken to Ocean County Jail where he is lodged pending a detention hearing.
Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River man charged with vehicular homicide[1]
References
- ^ Toms River man charged with vehicular homicide (www.app.com)