Crime & Safety
Death by Auto Indictment for Van Driver in Rt. 80 Fatal Crash in Morris County
State alleges Pennsylvania man had cocaine in his system at time of Thanksgiving crash.
The Pennsylvania man who crashed a van with 11 passengers on Thanksgiving Day, 2013, has been indicted on counts of death by auto and assault by auto after one of the vehicle’s occupants was killed in the crash.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Thursday Jose Almanzar, 47, was indicted on one count of death by auto, nine counts of assault by auto, and endangering the welfare of a child.
At a March bail hearing, prosecutors claimed Almanzar’s blood test following the crash revealed cocaine or a metabolite of cocaine, nj.com reported.
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Almanzar initially stated his van was cut off by a U-Haul truck, causing him to swerve and crash in the area of Exit 27 on Route 80.
Almanzar remains jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail.
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