New jersey drunk driver sentenced for killing young boy in high speed crash

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.