Thread: NJ man accused in officer's crash death detained

NJ man accused in officer's crash death detained
December 11, 2010 16:40 EST

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) -- Federal immigration authorities say a New Jersey man charged with drunken driving and vehicular homicide in the death of an off-duty police officer must remain jailed even though he has posted bail.

Authorities tell the Asbury Park Press of Neptune that 31-year-old Erick Uzcategui of Manchester will remain in the Ocean County Jail indefinitely on a detainer.

It was not disclosed why the detainer was issued. The Venezuelan-born Uzcategui posted $250,000 bail Friday.

Uzcategui's public defender has said his client may hire a private attorney.

Prosecutors say Uzcategui's SUV slammed into the back of Ocean Gate Officer Jason Marles' Jeep just early on Thanksgiving Day.

Marles had just finished working a drunken driving checkpoint and was headed home when the crash occurred.


http://www.wlos.com/template/inews_wire ... .com.shtml

TOMS RIVER — The Manchester man accused of killing an off-duty Ocean Gate police officer on his way home from work early Thursday made his first court appearance today to face a vehicular homicide charge.

Erick Uzcategui, 31, hung his head during the brief court appearance before Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, replying softly, "Yes, your honor," when the judge asked him if he understood his rights.

Daniels kept Uzcategui's bail at $250,000.

Uzcategui is being held in the Ocean County Jail, charged with the vehicular homicide of Ocean Gate Officer Jason Marles, 32, of Point Pleasant Beach.

Marles, a nine-year veteran of the Ocean Gate force, had just finished working an extra, four-hour shift looking for drunken drivers and was on his way home in his personal Jeep Grand Cherokee shortly after 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving when he was struck from behind by Uzcategui's 2010 BMW sport-utility vehicle in the northbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway, just north of exit 83.

The impact impact caused the Cherokee to spin out of control, strike a guardrail, run off the roadway, overturn and burst into flames, killing Marles, a married father of two young children, according to authorities.

Uzcategui, arrested at the scene, failed a sobriety test after state police detected alcohol on his breath, said Supervising Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Steven N. Cucci. Blood drawn from Uzcategui after the accident was sent to a laboratory today for analysis to determine its alcohol content, Cucci said. Those results were not yet known.

Authorities believe Uzcategui was coming home from Seaside Heights when the accident occurred, Cucci said.

At Uzcategui's court appearance, Toms River attorney Bradley Billhimer informed the judge he has been retained by Marles' family to look after its interests in the case.

Assistant Public Defender Frank Gonzalez, after conferring with Uzcategui, told the judge the defendant may be hiring a private attorney to represent him in the criminal case.

http://www.app.com/article/20101129/NEW ... appearance

NJ man still detained after deadly parkway crash
The Associated Press

Federal immigration authorities say a New Jersey man must remain jailed even though he has posted bail after being charged with vehicular homicide in the death of an off-duty police officer.

Authorities tell the Asbury Park Press of Neptune that 31-year-old Erick Uzcategui of Manchester will remain in the Ocean County Jail indefinitely on a detainer.

But specific details on the detainer, including why it was issued, were not disclosed. Uzcategui had posted his $250,00 bail on Friday.

Prosecutors say the Venezuelan-born Uzcategui's SUV slammed into the back of Ocean Gate Officer Jason Marles' Jeep Grand Cherokee just after 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Marles, a nine-year veteran of the police force and married father of two young children _ had just finished working at a drunken driver checkpoint and was headed home when the crash occurred.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_de ... crash.html

It should also be noted that when this tragedy happened 3 guys who were with Uzcataqui took off running from his car. The cops cars was on fire and not one of them tried to help him. Why would they run? Only the person driving is responsible for the crash. I hope and pray they prosecute those low-lifes too.

I am so glad they revoked his bail. He probably thought he would be home for Christmas. The cop aint gonna be home with his family. Feliz navidad, loser!!!

Many elected representatives In Washington D.C are directly responsible for this officers death. They are also responsible on a daily basis for the Injuries and deaths caused by Illegals that continue unabated.... The real criminals are In the United States Congress...

Originally Posted by pattyk

I am so glad they revoked his bail. He probably thought he would be home for Christmas. The cop aint gonna be home with his family. Feliz navidad, loser!!!

The judge did't revoke bail, Daniels kept Uzcategui's bail at $250,000. I suspect he's on an immigration hold. His bail should have been a million.

He is out. Got released on bond saturday.