Bergen Man Faces 'Strict Liability' For Drug-Induced Death In 2021: PD

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A local man was arrested in connection with a fatal drug overdose in 2021 in Morris County, according to authorities.

David Pezak, 34, formerly of Saddle Brook, stands accused of conspiring to distribute narcotics to a woman who was later found dead of a drug overdose on Nov. 15, 2021, in an apartment in Pequannock Township, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

Pezak faces up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death. He was also charged with conspiracy to distribute, distribution and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of CDS paraphernalia, the prosecutor's office said.

The first-degree charge arises from the 2021 incident in which the cause of the woman's death was ruled as fentanyl, amphetamine, carisoprodol and clonazepam intoxication, the prosecutor's office said. It is alleged that her death resulted from ingestion of substance she obtained from Pezak.

Pezak is detained at the Morris County jail pending future court proceedings, the prosecutor's office said.

“Each day we are losing entirely too many members of our community to drug overdoses," Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. "Distributors who prey upon the addicted will be held responsible."