Vehicular Homicide Charge Set for Highway Death

The prosecutor's office charged a Mahwah man with vehicular manslaughter following a fatal accident on Route 17 in Ridgewood Friday.

Rocco John Benedetto, 36, was arrested and charged by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office with second-degree vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Ridgewood Police responded to numerous 911 calls of a three-car collision before 2 p.m. Friday. The accident occurred on Route 17 south, near the exit for East Saddle River Road.

While traveling down the highway, Benedetto—driving a 2009 Mercedes Benz—struck a 2005 Honda Element—driven by Dorothy E. Scordato—according to the prosecutor's office. Spinning out of control across several lanes, Scordato's car was struck by a 20-year-old driving a Honda Civic.

Officials said Benedetto continued driving south for one-half mile before exiting and calling police.

Scordato, 80, of Allendale, died at The Valley Hospital Friday following the accident. Police found Scordato behind the wheel of her car, and emergency service officials transported her to the hospital, where she died shortly thereafter.

Benedetto was transported to the prosecutor's office in Paramus, where police determined he was under the influence. He was taken to Valley Hospital where a blood sample was drawn.

Judge Harry Carroll set bail at $150,000, with no 10 percent option.

The third driver—a female from New York—was neither summonsed nor charged, officials said.

Prosecutor John Molinelli thanked Ridgewood Police and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bergen County Sheriff Department for their investigation assistance.

Compiled by Sam Fran Scavuzzo