Charges upgraded to aggravated manslaughter in Gloucester Township fatal crash
Gloucester Township, NJ — A Sicklerville man is now facing upgraded charges after a deadly October crash in Gloucester Township that killed a 76-year-old man and seriously injured his wife, police announced Tuesday.
The crash occurred on Saturday, October 11, at approximately 10:13 p.m. at the intersection of Berlin Cross Keys Road and Johnson Road. When officers arrived, they found two vehicles — an SUV and a sedan — with severe damage and multiple injured occupants. Fire crews worked to free the victims from the wreckage, while EMS teams treated all three individuals before transporting them to a local hospital.
Louis Bontya, 76, who was driving the SUV, later died from his injuries. His wife, Christina Bontya, 75, sustained serious injuries but survived.
Marcus A. Young, 23, the driver of the sedan, was initially charged in early November with Death by Auto and Assault by Auto. However, after additional evidence was reviewed by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges were upgraded to Aggravated Manslaughter.
Young was taken into custody on December 9 and is being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility.
In addition to the felony charges, Young received motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving under the influence.
The intersection was shut down for several hours on the night of the crash while the Gloucester Township Police Department’s Serious Crash Investigation Team conducted an extensive on-site investigation.
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Key Points
- Marcus A. Young, 23, is now charged with aggravated manslaughter in fatal October crash
- Louis Bontya, 76, died and his wife suffered serious injuries after two-vehicle collision
- Young also faces DUI and multiple traffic violations and is being held in county custody