Couple Argued Over Truck Before Man Hit, Killed Woman In Ocean County, Prosecutor Says

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A South Toms River man charged with vehicular homicide in the death of a woman on a South Toms River street had been involved in "a highly toxic and abusive relationship" with her and they had been arguing shortly before the incident, authorities said Friday.

Tremel D. Haskins, 41, remains in the Ocean County Jail on the charge of vehicular homicide that was filed against him on July 31 in the death of Marie Bellavista, 57, of South Toms River.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has said Haskins was high on marijuana at the time of the incident that happened in the early hours of June 7 on Colgate Drive in South Toms River. He was arrested later that day at the Walmart on Route 37 in Toms River and charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, and operating an unregistered vehicle.

After receiving the results of blood tests that showed he had an active THC (marijuana) level of 14 nanograms (ng) with a metabolite THC level of 100 ng, Haskins was charged with vehicular homicidein late July, the prosecutor's office said. He turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 11.

At Haskins' detention hearing on Friday, the prosecutor's office and Haskins' public defender released additional details about the incident.

Video from nearby homes shows Haskins and Bellavista outside the home they shared arguing, Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara said. Haskins can be seen getting into the cab of the Volvo semi truck, then the truck jolts backward and pulls forward, Mandara said.

Bellavista's son found her and called 911 but Bellavista did not survive, she said.

Mandara said that when authorities tracked the truck down at Walmart and arrested him, Haskins told them he didn't know where Bellavista was at the time he got in the truck. He also admitted to smoking marijuana.

Mandara said family members have alleged the couple had been in a highly toxic and abusive relationship for two years, and that Haskins assaulted, threatened and had financially exploited Bellavista.

Haskins also told authorities that they had been arguing over the truck, with Bellavista yelling at him not to take it, Mandara said. Bellavista owned the truck and had purchased it for Haskins to use for work as a tractor trailer driver, she said.

Mandara said family members and friends have alleged the couple had been in a highly toxic and abusive relationship for two years, and had provided text messages demonstrating the nature of the relationship. They also alleged Haskins had financially exploited Bellavista, she said.

He also has domestic violence charges pending against him in connection with a different victim, Mandara said. In that case, he is accused of driving off when the victim was not fully seated in the vehicle, which injured that woman, she said.

Michelle Adams, Haskins' public defender, called the incident "a horrible accident" and alleged that domestic violence issues went both ways in the relationship.

"There have been substantial domestic violence incidents but he has been the victim too," Adams said in arguing for Haskins to be released to await trial.

"He (Haskins) was trying to get himself out of that situation" when he got in the cab and drove off from the argument, Adams said. "Mr. Haskins was trying to do the right thing by leaving that home."

Haskins also faces weapons charges after a June 9 search of the Volvo cab turned up a loaded Colt .38-caliber revolver, Mandara said. Haskins has two prior convictions for narcotics distribution and as such he is not permitted to have any firearms, authorities have said. He was charged June 17 with being a certain person not to possess a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon.