By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on March 25, 2024, Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno, 18, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Sean D. Gertner, J.S.C., to a term of 20 months to the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission as a result of his previously entered guilty pleas to Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023 - when Sanchez-Centeno was a juvenile.
Additionally, Judge Gertner imposed mandatory fines and penalties, as well as a two-year suspension of Sanchez-Centeno’s driving privileges as a consequence of his previously entered guilty plea to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, officials stated.
Officials said on August 3, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department arrived in the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious motor vehicle accident.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Manchester Township Police Department revealed that a blue 2007 Yamaha Motorcycle, operated by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, or Toms River, struck the rear passenger side of a 2005 Nissan Murano, officials say.
According to officials, the driver of the Nissan Murano - identified as Sanchez-Centeno - was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Authorities say following the crash, Sanchez-Centeno exited the Murano and fled the scene on foot; Manchester Township Police Officers thereafter discovered Sanchez-Centeno hiding in a nearby wooded area.
He was taken into custody and has been lodged in a Juvenile Detention Center since August 3, 2023, officials said.
Officials stated Mr. Schlinger, who sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash, ultimately succumbed to those injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River.
