Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Woman, 18, In Emerson, New Jersey
EMERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A driver was charged Friday in connection with a crash in Emerson, New Jersey earlier this week that left an 18-year-old woman dead.
The driver – described only as a 17-year-old juvenile – was cited as a juvenile delinquent with vehicular homicide in the crash this past Wednesday night that killed Stephanie Morgan, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's office.
Prosecutors believe the driver was operating a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder at a reckless, high rate of speed at the time of the crash.
Morgan was a passenger in a sport-utility vehicle when it flipped several times around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday on Hasbrouck Avenue. She was ejected and was pronounced dead at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack.
Morgan's 15-year-old brother was also in the vehicle when their friend – a teenage girl – lost control of the wheel, CBS2 reported Thursday.
The vehicle traveled sideways before flipping and landing on the driver's side, prosecutors said.
The car landed on a man's lawn.
Students learned about the crash on Thursday morning at school where the flag was lowered to half staff.
"She always had a smile on her face in the hallways. She just always was nice to everyone in school, friends, anyone, she was just a great person," junior Anthony Saluzzi said.
Prosecutors have been looking into whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.