By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom
A Millburn teenager pleaded guilty Tuesday in Newark Superior Court to vehicular homicide and drunk driving in the January 2009 death of a South Orange man.
Richard Chesler, now 18, took the plea agreement rather than risk being found guilty at trial and facing up to 30 years in prison. Essex County prosecutors were going to try Chesler an adult.
With his parents present in court, Chesler, who was 17 at the time of the accident, admitted to drinking six or seven beers before getting into his Jeep Grand Cherokee on Jan. 27, 2009. As he approached Long Hill Drive and Parsonage Hill Road around 5:30 p.m., his jeep collided with a Nissan driven Ari Vuotila, 39 of South Orange. Vuotila later died of his injuries.
Police said Chesler was driving more than 50 mph and had ran a stop sign when his car hit Vuotila's vehicle. The posted speed limit in that area was 25 mph, the New Jersey Newsroom reported.
Dressed in a white button down shirt, tan slacks and a blue blazer, the tall, lanky teen stood arrow straight in court as he responded to questions from his attorney about the January 2009 accident, the Star Ledger reported. When it was over, Chesler walked out of the courtroom, followed by his mother and father.
Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Shelton McCall agreed to drop the charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for Chesler’s guilty plea.
The New Jersey Newsroom
A Millburn teenager pleaded guilty Tuesday in Newark Superior Court to vehicular homicide and drunk driving in the January 2009 death of a South Orange man.
Richard Chesler, now 18, took the plea agreement rather than risk being found guilty at trial and facing up to 30 years in prison. Essex County prosecutors were going to try Chesler an adult.
With his parents present in court, Chesler, who was 17 at the time of the accident, admitted to drinking six or seven beers before getting into his Jeep Grand Cherokee on Jan. 27, 2009. As he approached Long Hill Drive and Parsonage Hill Road around 5:30 p.m., his jeep collided with a Nissan driven Ari Vuotila, 39 of South Orange. Vuotila later died of his injuries.
Police said Chesler was driving more than 50 mph and had ran a stop sign when his car hit Vuotila's vehicle. The posted speed limit in that area was 25 mph, the New Jersey Newsroom reported.
Dressed in a white button down shirt, tan slacks and a blue blazer, the tall, lanky teen stood arrow straight in court as he responded to questions from his attorney about the January 2009 accident, the Star Ledger reported. When it was over, Chesler walked out of the courtroom, followed by his mother and father.
Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Shelton McCall agreed to drop the charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for Chesler’s guilty plea.
This could have been avoided if Chesler drank responsibly. There's a growing number of DUI cases especially in San Diego. I hope these guys have a reliable dui lawyer san diego.
ReplyDeleteMy finger points out to the kid's parents. If only they have taught their child of the word "responsibility", this could not have happened.
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Poor boy. He deserves a bright future not inside a prison or in a rehab facility. In most cases, DUI leads to car accidents. It is one of the most common reasons of deaths in California.
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Sometimes, common sense is not so "common" anymore. Drunk driving is clearly a dangerous threat on our streets, yet everyday, numerous accidents still occur due to this.
ReplyDeleteIt has become a cyclic problem among drivers of America. I pity the accused teen for having to undergo a traumatic ordeal at a young age.
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May Richard Chesler learn the best lessons in life inside a prison. The kid deserves a second chance to rebuild his life after his sentence.
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Way back in college,a auto accident attorney Los Angeles discussed this case. He cited some insights about the case, especially in relation to the youth of today.
ReplyDeleteBeing prisoned is not just be a person anymore it gives you a time to think what is right and what is wrong.
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