By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Morris County announced that Matthew Vining, 29, of Chatham Township, has been charged with second-degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in Chatham Boro.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll stated that at approximately 12:07 p.m. on January 2, law enforcement officers and first responders were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian on Fairmount Avenue in Chatham Borough.
The investigation revealed that a Ford F-150 had been traveling south on Fairmont Avenue when it struck a pedestrian, MCPO officials say. The pedestrian, 54, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
According to Morris County officials, the victim’s name and identity will not be released at this time. The driver of the F-150 was identified at the scene as Matthew Vining.
As a result of the investigation, Vining was charged on February 4, 2026, with one count of second-degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide. Vining was also charged with a number of motor vehicle offenses, Morris County authorities said.
MCPO officials said that on February 5, Vining was granted pretrial release with special conditions that he surrender his passport, sign a waiver of extradition, and have no contact with victims.
He is scheduled for a pre-indictment conference on March 23, 2026, before Judge Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., according to Morris County officials.