By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Morris County announced that a jury has found Victor Peters, 46, of Parsippany-Troy Hills, guilty in connection with a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred on Route 80 in Rockaway Township on February 2, 2025.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll stated that the jury returned its verdicts on July 22, following a five-day trial.
The defendant was found guilty of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and second-degree Vehicular Homicide, Morris County officials said.
The Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. presided over the trial and scheduled a sentencing hearing in the matter for September 11, 2026, MCPO officials say. The defendant will remain in custody until that time.
At sentencing, both indictable crimes are subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence imposed.
According to Morris County officials, on February 2, 2025, at approximately 2:33 a.m., law enforcement responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 80 West in Rockaway Township.
The investigation revealed that a Mercedes SUV driven by Victor Peters had been traveling east in the westbound lanes and struck a 2024 Ford pickup truck traveling west, Morris County authorities said.
The driver of the Ford pickup truck, identified as Destinn McKnight, 31, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was pronounced deceased at the scene. McKnight was the sole occupant of the pickup truck, MCPO officials say.
Morris County officials stated that Peters sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the collision and was transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment.
Peters was the sole occupant of the Mercedes SUV. Peters exhibited signs of being under the influence at the scene.
As a result of the investigation, Peters was charged, according to Morris County officials.