By: Richard L. Smith
A South Jersey man who was speeding over 100 mph while intoxicated when he crashed into a parked vehicle and killed a sleeping child has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison, officials announced Tuesday.
According to information released by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, 25-year-old Edward Johnston of Egg Harbor City was sentenced after pleading guilty in March to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the July 2023 crash that took the life of 8-year-old Javier Velez of Philadelphia.
Authorities said Johnston was driving 107 miles per hour along the White Horse Pike around 3:25 a.m. on July 23, 2023, when he lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road, slamming into a parked car.
The impact fatally injured Javier, who was asleep inside the vehicle while his father and brother were fishing nearby.
The child’s mother later told RLS media that the family’s vehicle had been parked well away from the roadway, not on the shoulder, and in a location they believed was safe.
Johnston was arrested and formally charged with aggravated manslaughter on November 16, 2023.
He was also issued traffic summonses for driving under the influence, reckless driving, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph.
As part of his sentence, Johnston must serve at least 85% of his term—equating to 12 years and 9 months—before becoming eligible for parole, in accordance with New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.