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NJ Woman Charged with Causing Collision that Killed Teen Girl

Burlington County

By: Jaqueline Amorine 

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office reported that a 58-year-old Shamong woman has been charged with driving while impaired and causing the death of a teenage motorist earlier this year during a head-on collision in Medford Lakes.

According to a statement released by Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, Ms. Theresa McElvarr was charged with Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree) and four counts of Assault by Auto (Third Degree).

She was served with the warrant Wednesday at her Lenape Path home, where she is convalescing from injuries received in the collision.

Prosecutor Bradshaw said the case against McElvarr will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.

The investigation began June 13 just after midnight when officers from the Medford Lakes Police Department were called to the area of Stokes Road and Pawnee Trail for a report of a two-vehicle collision. 

Prosecutor Bradshaw said the investigation revealed that McElvarr was traveling north on Stokes Road in a Hyundai Tucson when she veered into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with a southbound Honda Civic with five occupants inside. 

The driver of the Honda, Gianna Mastalski, 17, of Mullica Hill, was transported to Virtua Marlton Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at approximately 1:45 a.m. 

According to Prosecutor Bradshaw McElvarr and the four passengers in Mastalski's vehicle, all of whom were 17, were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

McElvarr and three teens were admitted with broken bones and other injuries. 

The Prosecutor's Office and the Medford Lakes Police Department conducted the investigation.

The lead investigators are BCPO Detectives Sean Tait, Kevin Merrigan, and Medford Lakes Police Officer Mark McHugh.  

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