Ex-Fugitive Admits To Drunken Fatal Crash On Parkway In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — A man who was charged in a drunken fatal crash on the Garden State Parkway in 2009 and then became a fugitive before his 2024 capture has admitted fault in the crash.

Chaudhry Yousaf, 52, pleaded guilty to strict liability vehicular homicide in connection with the March 28, 2009 crash at milepost 77 on the Parkway, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Yousaf, whose last known address was in Valley Stream, NY, faces five years in prison and is set to be sentenced in September.

On the day of the crash, Yousaf was driving a black Lincoln Town Car with two passengers, Harris Kahn, 26, of Queens, New York, and Kishwa Jahan, 32, of Queens Village, New York, Billhimer said.

He was driving south when he lost control of the car and struck a roadway sign, continuing into the wooded area and striking a tree before finally coming to a rest, Billhimer said.

Yousaf, who appeared to be intoxicated at the scene, was charged with driving while intoxicated and taken into custody. He and Jahan were both taken to Community Medical Center and treated for their injuries.

Kahn was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of serious injuries, and died the next day. On March 29, Yousaf was charged with vehicular homicide, and taken to the Ocean County Jail from Community Medical Center, Billhimer said.

On March 30, 2009, Yousaf's bail was set for $150,000. Yousaf posted that and was released from jail, Billhimer said.

Then, on Feb. 5, 2010, Yousaf failed to appear for a mandatory court appearance and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, Billhimer said.

He remained a fugitive from that date until his capture on Dec. 24, 2024. Yousaf was captured at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City that day by the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force

Yousaf was extradited into New Jersey on Dec. 27 and has remained in Ocean County Jail since.