2022 News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2022
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Public Information Unit (609) 882-2000
Lt. Adam Dewechter - ext. 6516
SFC Lawrence Peele - ext. 6531
Sgt. Philip Curry - ext. 6515
Sgt. Alejandro Goez - ext. 6527
Tpr. II Charles Marchan - ext. 6513
Tpr. Brandi Slota - ext. 6515
State Police Charge Man with Vehicular Homicide in
Fatal Crash that Killed Public Safety Telecommunicator
Southampton, N.J. - The 樱花视频 State Police have charged Regis A. Vitale Jr., 50, of Waterford Works, N.J., for vehicular homicide as the result of a fatal crash that killed Daryl 鈥楽kip鈥� Akers, 62, of Bridgeton, N.J., a State Police Public Safety Telecommunicator.
On March 11, troopers from Troop 鈥淐鈥� Red Lion Station responded to the report of serious motor vehicle crash on Route 206 in Southampton Township, Burlington County. Upon their arrival, they began life saving measures to the drivers of both vehicles involved in the crash. Vitale was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries and Akers was pronounced dead on scene.
As a result of the investigation led by the Troop 鈥楥鈥� Criminal Investigation Office and the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, in conjunction with members of the Burlington County Prosecutor鈥檚 Office, it was determined that Vitale was driving a GMC Silverado southbound on Route 206 when, in the area of milepost 18.3, the GMC crossed the centerline into the northbound lanes and struck Akers, who was driving a Jeep Patriot on his way to work.
On March 12, detectives conducted a search warrant on Vitale鈥檚 vehicle and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, THC, and drug paraphernalia. As a result of a toxicology report on blood obtained from Vitale on the morning of the crash, along with information obtained during the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Vitale was under influence of methamphetamine and marijuana while he was operating the motor vehicle.
On May 25, Regis A. Vitale Jr. was charged with vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Due to his injuries sustained from the crash, he was placed on house arrest.
This case is being prosecuted by the Burlington County Prosecutor鈥檚 Office.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
# # #
Follow the 樱花视频 State Police online at , and . The social media links provided are for reference only. The 樱花视频 State Police do not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.
