Charges Upgraded For Crash In Little Egg Harbor After Teen Dies

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — Authorities upgraded a man's charges to aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide after one of the victims in a Jan. 30 car crash died from her injuries.

Michael Pillarella, 26, of Manahawkin has also been charged with speeding for driving 74 miles per hour on Radio Road in Little Egg Harbor at the time of the crash, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Little Egg Harbor Township police responded to the area of Radio Road and Baltusrol Court for a report of a crash on Jan. 30 at 9:45 p.m., authorities said.

According to the investigation, Pillarella was traveling northbound in a Hyundai Elantra on Radio Road when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, crossed over the centerline and struck an oncoming Toyota XB travelling southbound on Radio Road.

The Toyota XB was driven by a teenager with another teenager in the front passenger seat. The Press of Atlantic City reported that the two teens are students at Pinelands Regional High School.

The juveniles sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where they were listed in critical condition, the OCPO said.

Pillarella was airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Trauma Center in Atlantic City for treatment of his injuries, authorities said. Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said 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 and failure to maintain lane.

Additional charges were filed including aggravated assault and assault by auto. He was taken into custody by Little Egg Harbor Police Officers and remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

On Feb. 9, one of the teen passengers died from her injuries in the hospital, the OCPO said. The other teen passenger remains in critical condition. Authorities have not identified the victims.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Pillarella's charges have been upgraded to aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of both of these young women. The driver should have been celebrating her birthday last weekend, instead she was fighting for her life in the hospital. The passenger that passed away this evening should have been celebrating her birthday this upcoming weekend…this is such an unspeakable tragedy,” Prosecutor Billhimer said.

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