A Denville NJ man faces aggravated manslaughter charges in connection with a car accident in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

According to prosecutors, the 53-year-old suspect is responsible for the death of the 61-year-old victim. The victim, like the suspect, was also from Denville, New Jersey. Additionally, the victim was reportedly a friend of the suspect.

The suspect was allegedly driving a 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera, with the victim was a passenger in the vehicle. At some point while driving on Route 80 near milepost 61.6, the suspect reportedly lost control of the car and struck the guardrail.

The victim died as a result of the car crash.

New Jersey State Police investigated the accident scene but have not yet said what caused the crash.

The suspect faces charges of aggravated manslaughter. He recently appeared in Bergen County Superior Court, where he entered a not guilty plea.

The next step in the legal proceedings will be the presentation of the case before a Bergen County grand jury.

If the suspect is indicted on the aggravated manslaughter charges, he will then be subject to a criminal trial and severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4, anyone who causes another person’s death while consciously disregarded a substantial risk can be sentenced to up to 10 years in NJ State Prison.

According to Bergen County Sheriff’s Office records, the suspect is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack NJ in lieu of $500,000 bail.

For further information about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Denville Man Charged in Route 80 Death of Friend, Authorities Say.”