Judge Upholds Aggravated Manslaughter Charges Against Driver In Route 80 Crash That Killed 3

MORRISTOWN, N.J.– A Superior Judge on Tuesday dismissed a motion to drop the most serious charges against the Mountain Lakes man accused of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in a Rockaway Township crash that killed a Kentucky family of three, according to reports.

Bhavuk Uppal was handed a 13-count indictment, which included three counts of death by auto; three counts of death caused while driving with a suspended license; and two counts of assault by auto.

Judge Stephen Taylor denied the motion to dismiss the aggravated assault charges – the most serious charges lobbied against Uppal, the Daily Record reported.

Uppal remains in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility where he is being held on $750,000 bail.

The Prosector's Office extended a plea of 36 years in prison to Uppal, the Daily Record reported.

Uppal crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a Kia sedan while traveling on Route 80 westbound on July 11, 2015, Sgt. Jeff Flynn said. The impact caused the Kia to crash into a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which contained two occupants, Flynn said.

The Kia became engulfed in flames, killing its three occupants – Edward Russell Hitt, 24; Briana Mae Anderson, 21; and 18-month-old Charlotte Reagan Hitt – Flynn said.

The two occupants in the Jeep were treated for minor injuries.

Uppal lost his license 12 times prior to the deadly crash.

The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15, the Daily Record reported.

Pictured: Bhavuk Uppal of Mountain Lakes. Photo courtesy New Jersey State Police.