New Jersey Man Faces Vehicular Homicide Charges in PA, Accused of Killing Paramus Valedictorian
The man accused of driving while under the influence of drugs and killing a Paramus NJ valedictorian has been declared competent to stand trial.
The 51-year-old suspect, who is from Dover NJ, recently attended a hearing in a Pennsylvania court to determine whether he was fit to stand trial in the vehicular homicide case.
Prosecutors allege that the suspect was under the influence of a painkiller and behind the wheel of a pickup truck when he struck and killed the 20-year-old victim. According to law enforcement, the suspect swerved his truck and hit the victim on the side of the road.
The victim, a 2010 Paramus High School valedictorian, was killed while jogging near her parents’ vacation home in the Poconos. She was an incoming junior at Washington University in St. Louis.
The trial was delayed while the suspect received treatment for bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. The suspect had told his doctors that he was not involved in the fatal accident and that he had only been charged as part of a conspiracy. The suspect has a documented history of mental illness.
The suspect received treatment for his disorders and was eventually declared fit to stand trial. According to prosecutors, the suspect responded well to the treatment and simply needs to be medicated going forward.
During the hearing to determine his competency, the suspect was shaking. He currently takes 10 milligrams of Haldol and 1 milligram of Klonopin to deal with anxiety and insomnia.
The trial is now set to begin in July in a Pennsylvania court. The suspect has been charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence (DUI).
To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Accused Killer of Paramus Valedictorian Declared Fit for Trial, Report Says.”