MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Edward Johnston, 25, was sentenced Tuesday for the aggravated manslaughter of 8-year-old Javier “Javi” Velez, who was killed in a high-speed, alcohol-fueled crash on U.S. Route 30 in Atlantic County last summer.
The sentencing took place at the Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse in Mays Landing before Judge Levin. A press conference was held following the hearing at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, where officials addressed the case and its broader legal implications.
On the night of the crash, Johnston had been drinking at multiple Atlantic City bars before getting behind the wheel. Prosecutors said he was driving 107 mph on Absecon Boulevard when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a parked car. Javi was asleep in the backseat of that car while his father and younger brother fished nearby. The child died at the scene.
Johnston remained at the scene and told responding officers he had consumed alcohol. His blood alcohol content measured .122 several hours after the incident. Marijuana was also found in his system and in his vehicle. Investigators believe Johnston may have been texting at the time of the crash.
Legislation proposed in response to deadly crash
Johnston was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter and DUI. Despite objections from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, he was released pretrial by court order, prompting public criticism. He later pleaded guilty to the full indictment on February 27, admitting to being impaired when the crash occurred.
The case has spurred legislative action in Trenton. State Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) sponsored Bill S-2295, which seeks to create a presumption of pretrial detention for impaired drivers charged with vehicular homicide. The bill also includes mandatory license suspension and potential vehicle forfeiture upon conviction. The legislation was unanimously advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“This heartbreaking case has exposed a critical blind spot in our justice system—one that allowed a dangerous, impaired driver to remain free after taking a child’s life,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds during Tuesday’s press conference.
Edward Johnston was sentenced Tuesday for killing 8-year-old Javi Velez in a drunk driving crash, a case that has since prompted calls for legislative reform across New Jersey.
