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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.

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