Alleged drunk driver causes fatal Expressway crash
By Thomas Barlas Staff Writer
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - One man was killed after his minivan overturned after being hit on the Atlantic City Expressway early Saturday morning by a sport utility vehicle driven by an allegedly drunken driver, according to State Police.
Authorities have yet to identify the dead man, as he was carrying no photo identification....Continue reading
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State Police said authorities would try to identity the man through fingerprints taken during an autopsy that was conducted Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, State Police charged William J. Maher, 24, of Cape May Court House, with driving while under the influence. Maher and Michael V. Filachek, 26, of Philadelphia, a passenger in Maher's vehicle, are likely to be issued additional motor vehicle summonses for failure to wear seatbelts, they said.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office will eventually determine if any criminal charges will be lodged against Maher, State Police said.
According to State Police, witnesses said Maher was driving his Cadillac Escalade at a "high rate of speed" when it rear-ended the minivan at 2:51 a.m. State Police said the collision caused the minivan to swerve, hit a guardrail and overturn, partially ejecting the driver.
Other reports said the accident occurred in an eastbound lane near milepost 18.
The minivan driver, who was wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred, was declared dead at the scene by Heidi Munyon of the Atlantic County Medical Examiner's Office at 5:52 a.m, authorities said.
Maher and Filachek both declined medical treatment, State Police said. Maher was given field sobriety tests and later had blood drawn at Kessler Memorial Hospital in Hammonton, after which he was charged with driving under the influence, they said.
State Police fatal accident and crime scene investigation units processed the scene. Sgt. Keith Fane of the Prosecutor's Office also responded to the scene and is working with troopers.
Hamilton Township fire and rescue units also responded to the crash.
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