JACKSON, NJ – A Jackson Township man has pled guilty to fleeing the scene of a fatal crash that occurred on Christmas Eve in 2020.
Roberto Alcazar-Sanchez, 27, of Jackson, pled guilty to knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.
The case was heard before Judge Guy P. Ryan.
“At the time of his sentencing on April 22, 2022, the State will be seeking a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
According to court documents and a press release issued by Billhimer, “On December 24, 2020, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Officers of the Jackson Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Cedar Swap Road and I-195 for a report of a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries.”
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Jackson Township Police Department revealed that a 2010 Mercedes Benz, driven by Norman Shtab, 83, of Howell Township, was exiting I-195 at Exit 21. His wife, Phyllis Shtab, 81, also of Howell, was a passenger in the vehicle. As Mr. Shtab was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Cedar Swap Road, his vehicle collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.Mr. and Mrs. Shtab were transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune Township following the crash.
“Mr. Shtab was treated for his injuries and later released. On December 26, 2020, Mrs. Shtab succumbed to the injuries she sustained as a result of the crash, and was pronounced deceased at Jersey Shore Medical Center on that date,” the Jackson Police Department reported at the time.
On December 30, 2020, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado – identified through continuing investigation to be Alcazar-Sanchez – who fled the scene of the December 24, 2020 crash on foot. Further investigation revealed that Alcazar-Sanchez then fled the United States and traveled to Mexico. On March 3, 2021, Alcazar-Sanchez surrendered himself to United States Customs and Border Patrol Protection Agents in Laredo, Texas. He was ultimately extradited back to Ocean County, and has remained lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his return on March 31, 2021.