Fatal NJ Crash Into 2nd Floor Bedroom Brings Charges

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — A man faces multiple charges after a Dodge Ram truck going 100 mph catapulted into a Warren County house, severely injuring family members and killing a passenger in the truck, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

John Nunn, 27, of Washington was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree death by auto, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault and other charges, a prosecutor's report said.

Tyler Balog, a passenger in Nunn's vehicle, was killed in the crash, according to Scott Leonard of the Leonard Legal Group, a lawyer representing the family whose house was struck and whose members suffered injuries, in an email to Patch. Neither police nor the prosecutor's office have confirmed Balog's identification.

The crash resulted in critical injuries to Kim Terry, who was airlifted to Morristown Hospital, according to Leonard. Tim Terry was also injured, Leonard said. The crash killed the Terry family dog, he added.

The prosecutor's report said one of the injured victims had been sleeping when the truck crashed into the bedroom. The report called the victim's injuries "severe." The prosecutor's office has not confirmed the identities of people injured in the crash.

The first-degree aggravated manslaughter charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years upon conviction. The second-degree crimes could result in a sentence of up to 10 years in state prison, and the third-degree aggravated assault could bring a five-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison, according to the prosecutor's office.

The Warren County Prosecutor's Office announced the charges Friday. Crash data from the truck showed that it was moving at 100 mph when it hit landscaping and catapulted into the house on Feb. 6, the prosecutor's report said.

"As a result of his conduct, one person died and another remains severely injured," said Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer.

Nunn was speeding "recklessly" in his pickup truck on Route 57 just after 2 a.m. on Feb. 6, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office. The truck passed two cars before hitting landscaping features that caused it to lose control, catapulting it and slamming it into the second floor and master bedroom of the Terry family's house, the prosecutor's office said.

Nunn had a blood alcohol content of 0.118 percent at the time his blood was drawn at 7:15 a.m., more than four hours after the accident, according to the prosecutor's report.

The Terry family called for "swift justice following the catastrophic and fatal car crash into [the Terry family] home," Leonard said.

"As a result of this devastating crash, the Terry family will never be the same. Kim Terry faces a tremendous battle to overcome her catastrophic injuries, the family home is condemned and must be torn down, and a young man is now dead," Leonard said.

The Terry family is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers from their neighbors and community,” Leonard added.

The Warren County Prosecutor's Office and Washington Township Police Department investigated the accident, with assistance from countless neighboring agencies who responded that night.

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