MANCHESTER – An 18-year-old Toms River driver has been sentenced to 20 months in the Juvenile Justice Commission for his involvement in a fatal crash, where he was driving under the influence, before fleeing the accident scene, officials said.
Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno previously entered guilty pleas to Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, in connection with a crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023 – when Sanchez-Centeno was a juvenile.
In addition, the judge imposed mandatory fines and penalties, as well as a two-year suspension of Sanchez-Centeno’s driving privileges because of his previously entered guilty to plea to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
At around 10 p.m. on August 3, 2023, Sanchez-Centeno was driving in a Nissan Murano. He pulled out from a side road near 1881 Route 37 and failed to yield to a motorcyclist, police said. The motorcycle struck the rear passenger side door.
Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, of Toms River, was driving a Yamaha motorcycle. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
After the crash, the juvenile continued eastbound on Route 37 until his car became inoperable. He then exited the car and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Police later located and apprehended him.
It was later determined that Sanchez-Centeno was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Juvenile Attorney Anthony Pierro and Assistant Prosecutor Brandon DeJesus who handled the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
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