NEPTUNE CITY WOMAN CHARGED WITHVEHICULAR HOMICIDE

On July 13, 2011, Madeline Rodriguez, 50, of Neptune City, New Jersey was arrestedand charged with Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle collision that occurredon May 24, 2011 in Neptune City, New Jersey, Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw, Jr. announced.Rodriguez voluntarily surrendered before the Honorable Thomas F. Scully, P.J.Cr. Judge Scullyset bail at $115,000, no 10 % and she must surrender her driver’s license.

The arrest of Madeline Rodriguez was the result of a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau, the Neptune City Police Department and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART).

The investigation revealed that on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at approximately 11: 23 a.m., Rodriguez was driving a 2007 Nissan Versa southbound on Route 35 in Neptune City while David Pisarchik, 49, of Wall Township, was driving at 1998 Honda motorcycle northbound on Route 35. Rodriguez turned left onto Fourth Avenue without properly yielding to Pisarchik, who was ejected from his motorcycle after colliding into Rodriguez’s vehicle. Pisarchik was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 12:09 p.m.

The investigation further revealed that Rodriguez’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was substantially above the .08 legal BAC limit for operating a vehicle. Rodriguez was previously charged with motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Failure to Yield at an Intersection and Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident.

The Vehicular Homicide charge, a second degree crime, carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA) wherein she will have to serve 85% of her sentence before she is eligible for parole.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has of the trial rights guaranteed by the United State Constitution and State law.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Lipp.

Defense counsel: Steven Nelson, Esq. Neptune Township