ROXBURY, N.J. — A Belleville man was sentenced to six years in state prison in connection with a fatal crash that killed a 19-year-old driver in May 2024.
Gerald Veneziano, 41, pleaded guilty on January 6 to second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and driving while under the influence. On February 14, Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna imposed the six-year sentence, which falls under the No Early Release Act, requiring Veneziano to serve at least 85% of his term before parole eligibility. He must also pay $8,961 in restitution to the victim’s family.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 31, when Veneziano’s northbound 2021 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a southbound 2019 Mazda 3 on Howard Boulevard. The Mazda’s driver, Jacob Davis, 19, of Flanders, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Veneziano, who was seriously injured in the crash, was found to have been driving under the influence at approximately 90 mph. Investigators also discovered numerous empty alcohol containers near his vehicle.
