Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chester Township Police Chief Wayne Martini announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation into the October 2014 motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a minor child at the Alstede Farms in Chester.
On October 12, 2014, law enforcement was dispatched to Alstede Farms located at 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester on a report of pedestrians struck by a vehicle.
A minor child and two adults were struck and injured by a shuttle bus. The minor child ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation revealed that a 2006 Chevrolet van, color white (Vehicle #1), as well as a second van, color black (Vehicle #2), were shuttling passengers to and from stops between the Gladstone Train Station and Alstede Farms. At the time of this incident, Vehicle #2 was parked in a driveway of 94 Rt. 24 and was loading passengers. Vehicle #1 was positioned behind Vehicle #2. The minor child, her mother, and friend, were positioned between Vehicle #2 and Vehicle #1 when Vehicle #1 rolled forward causing the fatal injuries to the minor child, and the injuries to the other parties.
After a thorough investigation by law enforcement, and in coordination with the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Drug Scan, a private toxicology company, no evidence of criminal conduct was found on the part of the driver of the vehicle.
As such, no criminal charges are forthcoming arising out of this incident.