Drunk Driver Jailed For Crash That Killed Morris Co. College Student

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to driving drunk in a fatal crash that took the life of a local college student.

Jacob Davis, 19, of Flanders, had just finished his first year at Northeastern University when the crash occurred on May 31, 2024. Authorities said 41-year-old Gerald Veneziano of Belleville was driving north on Howard Boulevard in Roxbury when he collided with Davis's Mazda 3, which was traveling south.

Veneziano was taken to Morristown Medical Center with serious injuries, while Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials later charged Veneziano with second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and driving under the influence, which he pleaded guilty to last month.

Prosecutors said Veneziano’s blood alcohol content was above the legal limit, and he was driving nearly twice the speed limit just before the crash. Authorities also found several empty alcohol containers near his truck at the crash site.

Veneziano was sentenced Feb. 14 by state Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence and pay $8,961 in restitution to Davis's family.