Long Branch Cop Charged With Vehicular Homicide

LONG BRANCH, NJ - Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey has charged a Long Branch police officer with strict liability vehicular homicide after he allegedly drove drunk, hitting and killing a pedestrian.

Jake Pascucci, 28, of Long Branch, has been charged in the death of Karen Borkowski, 66, of Stanhope. She died when she was struck by his 2016 Jeep as she tried to cross Ocean Boulevard in Long Branch on Sept. 22. Borkowski was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash which occurred at 8:15 p.m., according to the Prosecutor's Office.

Pascucci told officers at the scene last month that he had a green light and that Borkowski was jaywalking, according to dashboard camera video obtained by nj.com. He was later charged with drunk driving, careless driving and reckless driving.

The case was transferred to Middlesex County to avoid a conflict of interest.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-8842.

Photo: Patch file photo