NJ Man Accused of Fatal Drugged-Driving Crash in Court
The 29-year-old man who was allegedly high on drugs when he barreled into a gas station in New Jersey last Tuesday, killing three people, was in court Monday morning for his detention hearing in connection to the horrific incident.
Jason Vanderee, of Glenwood, appeared in the courtroom where his family as well as the families of the victims were present in an emotional hearing.
Vanderee is charged with aggravated manslaughter, death by auto while driving intoxicated, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and other crimes in the devastating crash that obliterated three lives.
Prosecution recommended no release based on the nature of the charges. The defense did not fight the recommendation out of respect for the victims’ families, Vanderee’s attorney said.
Vanderee’s attorney tells NBC 4 New York that his client has an ongoing drug addiction, to mainly heroin, that spans about 10 years, adding that Vanderee feels terrible.
The defense says they want to find out what led up to the accident through medical reports and accident reconstruction.
The horrific accident took place on the morning of Feb. 19 in Wayne. Vanderee, who was administered Narcan at the scene, hit a guardrail and smashed into a Delta gas station on Route 23; the impact was so violent it tore the roof off a vehicle at the scene, killing a father and 17-year-old son inside — subsequently identified as Jon Warbeck, a 50-year-old construction business owner from Fair Lawn, and Luke Warbeck, a 17-year-old from Lincoln Park.
The impact also killed a 22-year-old gas station attendant who had recently moved to the U.S. from India to pursue a better life. Relatives identified him as Lovedeep Fatra, of Pequannock.
Two other people in separate cars were also treated for various injuries.
Photo Credit: News 4
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