16-Year-Old Charged in Deadly Mays Landing Crash That Killed 2
Mays Landing, N.J. — A 16-year-old juvenile from Atlantic City has now been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with a horrific crash in Mays Landing last month that killed two people from Egg Harbor Township.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday that the teenager, identified by the initials "J.D.," faces three counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and one count of second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.
The charges stem from the August 22nd head-on collision that killed 54-year-old Robert Barr, Jr., and 67-year-old Alice Stilwell, both of Egg Harbor Township.
Prosecutor: DNA, Fingerprint Evidence Recovered From Mercedes
The latest charges follow an extensive follow-up investigation into the crash and the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, investigators obtained a search warrant for J.D.'s person, including a buccal swab used to obtain a DNA sample, as well as a search warrant for the Mercedes itself.
Officials said multiple airbags were removed from the vehicle, along with a portion of the windshield in front of the driver's seat. Investigators also examined the Mercedes for latent fingerprints.
The airbags and windshield were submitted to the New Jersey State Police Laboratory, while the fingerprints were sent to the NJSP Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
The prosecutor's office said a DNA laboratory report subsequently found J.D.'s blood on the steering-wheel airbag, the driver's-side curtain airbag, and the front windshield sample.
Latent fingerprints recovered from the steering wheel also reportedly matched J.D.'s.
The prosecutor's office did not specifically identify J.D. as the driver of the Mercedes in its announcement.
Mercedes Involved in Fatal Crash
The collision occurred at approximately 7:30 AM on Saturday, August 22nd, in the area of Route 50 and Third Street in Mays Landing.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said its investigation determined that a stolen vehicle was at fault in the crash.
The Mercedes had reportedly been the subject of police activity earlier that morning.
According to WPVI-TV, Longport police attempted to stop the Mercedes at approximately 3:45 AM Saturday, but the driver fled. Police contacted the vehicle's owners and determined that it had been stolen, prompting Longport police to alert law enforcement agencies throughout Atlantic County.
6ABC reported that Hamilton Township police later spotted the Mercedes and attempted a traffic stop, but officers lost sight of the vehicle when the driver failed to stop. Officers subsequently responded to the fatal crash.
Surveillance video reportedly captured the stolen Mercedes crossing the center line on Route 50 and striking the vehicle carrying Barr and Stilwell head-on. The impact sent the sedan into a nearby gas station, according to WPVI.
Video footage also reportedly showed people inside the stolen vehicle getting out and attempting to flee on foot following the crash, but they were quickly apprehended.
Two Egg Harbor Township Residents Killed
Barr and Stilwell both lived in Egg Harbor Township and left behind children. Stilwell was a hairdresser while Barr worked as a bus driver for the Egg Harbor Township School District.
Four Occupants Initially Charged
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, authorities announced charges against the occupants of the stolen Mercedes.
They included 18-year-old Nayshaun Brown of Atlantic City and three juveniles.
The initial charges included conspiracy to commit second-degree aggravated assault, based on bodily injury while joyriding; conspiracy to commit third-degree joyriding; conspiracy to commit second-degree eluding; and conspiracy to commit second-degree theft by receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
Brown was additionally charged with first-degree employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.
Brown's charges were placed on a complaint warrant, and he was being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
At the time, one juvenile was ordered held by a Superior Court judge, another was released, and a third remained in custody pending a judicial determination.
The prosecutor's office said the charges could be supplemented as the investigation continued.
WPVI-TV later reported that charging documents indicated police believed Brown was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. The station also reported that Brown had been charged with occupying a stolen vehicle in Atlantic City on July 27.
Investigation Continues
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by its office, the Hamilton Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call (609) 909-7684.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Gallery Credit: Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com
