Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced that a man from Piscataway has pleaded guilty in causing the death of a 49-year old vice-principal of New Brunswick High School, who was struck and killed on October 6, 2018.
Officials say that Freddy S. Garcia Jr., 22, of Piscataway pleaded guilty today to vehicular homicide, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, causing death while driving with a suspended license, filing a false report, and hindering his own apprehension.
Under a plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams, Garcia will be sentenced to a prison term of 13 years for causing the death of Tyrone Harrison, 49, of Somerset. The first ten years are subject to the No Early Release Act. As such, the defendant will have to serve the first 8 ½ years of his prison term before becoming eligible for parole, according to reports.
In addition, Garcia will be subject to a 3-year loss of license upon his release from prison, officials say.
The defendant was charged following an investigation by Officer Meredith Robbins of the Piscataway Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, according to reports.
Reports say that the investigation determined that on October 6, 2018, at approximately 9:17 pm multiple vehicles were illegally street racing on Stelton Road in Piscataway. Garcia, lost control of his 2003 Honda Accord, struck and killed the victim on Stelton Road near Ethel Avenue in Piscataway. Then, Garcia abandoned his car and fled the scene. Later, Garcia falsely reported that his car, which was not registered or insured, was stolen.
Harrison, a Vice-Principal of the New Brunswick High School was walking from the Edison train station on route to a relative’s house when he was struck. Police say that he was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained in the fatal hit and run.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced by New Brunswick Superior Court Judge Diane Pincus on August 23.