A Monroe Township man faces up to 10 years in prison after a jury found him guilty in a high-speed crash that killed a Marlton driver and left a trail of destruction along the Black Horse Pike.
A Gloucester County jury has found Gabriel H. Woolson, 26, of Williamstown, guilty of second-degree death by auto in connection with a December 2022 crash that killed a 52-year-old Marlton man, authorities announced.
The verdict was returned Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Russell DePersia in Woodbury, according to Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns.
Crash Occurred on Black Horse Pike
According to trial testimony and court records, the crash occurred around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2022, on South Black Horse Pike in Williamstown.
Prosecutors said Woolson was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 westbound at what investigators described as an extremely high rate of speed when he collided with a vehicle driven by Evan Silverstein, 52, of Marlton.
Silverstein had been traveling eastbound and was making a left turn across the westbound lanes when the collision occurred.
Investigation Revealed Extreme Speed
Authorities said the impact was so severe that Silverstein’s vehicle was severed in half. The front portion of the vehicle was launched more than 100 feet into the parking lot of a nearby strip mall.
Silverstein was ejected from the vehicle and suffered catastrophic injuries. He was pronounced dead as a result of the crash.
A passenger riding in Woolson’s Corvette was also injured.
Investigators determined Woolson’s vehicle reached 119 mph approximately three seconds before the collision. Evidence presented during the trial showed the Corvette’s brakes were not applied until about one second before impact.
Jury Returns Guilty Verdict
During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from an eyewitness and several expert witnesses who analyzed the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The jury found Woolson guilty of second-degree death by auto.
Judge DePersia also found Woolson guilty of reckless driving and speeding violations. He was found not guilty of assault by auto in connection with injuries suffered by his passenger.
Woolson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in New Jersey state prison on the death by auto conviction.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.
Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Grekstas and Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Brook represented the state during the prosecution.
Key Points
• A Gloucester County jury convicted Gabriel H. Woolson, 26, of second-degree death by auto in a fatal 2022 Williamstown crash.
• Investigators determined Woolson’s Chevrolet Corvette reached 119 mph shortly before the collision on South Black Horse Pike.
• The crash killed Marlton resident Evan Silverstein, 52, and Woolson faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing in August.
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