BERGEN COUNTY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FIRST DEGREE DEATH BY AUTO IN CRASH THAT KILLED A NORTH BERGEN MAN
" Denisse Ortega Of New Milford, New Jersey Has Pled Guilty In The September 29, 2021 North Bergen Car Crash That Claimed The Life Of Mario Santamaria Of North Bergen, New Jersey."
September 17, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
JERSEY CITY, NJ.- On Friday, September 17, 2021 Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that a Bergen County woman pleaded guilty Thursday, September 16, 2021 to First Degree Death by Auto and Driving While Intoxicated while within 1,000 Feet of School Property in the Sunday, September 29, 2019 crash in which she killed a 66-year-old man on Kennedy Boulevard and 76th Street in North Bergen, New Jersey.
Denisse Ortega, 36, of New Milford, New Jersey entered the Plea before The Honorable Vincent J. Militello, J.S.C., during a hearing Thursday at which the family members of the victim, Mario Santamaria Sr., were present. Ms. Ortega also Pled Guilty to Motor Vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated and Speeding in violation.
The State is recommending a Sentence of Ten Years in New Jersey State Prison subject to The No Early Release Act along with a consecutive Ten Year Driver’s License Suspension and Forfeiture of her 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the remaining charges of the indictment against Ms. Ortega would be dismissed at sentencing.
On Sunday, September 29, 2019, shortly after 4:00 a.m., a Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision occurred at the intersection of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and 76th Street in North Bergen, New Jersey. The collision was observed by a nearby North Bergen Police Officer who was on patrol in the area.
After reporting the collision, The Police Officer responded to the scene and immediately began rendering aid to the two drivers who were both trapped in their vehicles. There were no other occupants of either vehicle. Additional North Bergen Police Officers, North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene to render aid and assist with traffic control.
The investigation by The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and The North Bergen Police Department revealed that a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Ms. Ortega was traveling north on John F. Kennedy Boulevard at approximately 83 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone when she collided with a 2012 Nissan Altima driven westbound on 76th Street by Mario Santamaria Sr. The investigation also determined that Ortega failed to obey multiple traffic signals while traveling on John F. Kennedy Boulevard including the traffic signal controlling the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and 76th Street. An analysis of blood samples also determined she was driving while intoxicated. The collision occurred within 1,000 feet of North Bergen High School.
Mr. Santamaria, 66, of North Bergen, was transported by Emergency Medical Service to Jersey City Medical Center. He was pronounced deceased at approximately 5:15 a.m.
Ms. Ortega was treated at the scene before being transported by Emergency Medical Service to Palisades Medical Center. Ms. Ortega was subsequently transferred to Hackensack University Medical Center where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries. A North Bergen Police Officer who responded to the scene was injured while rendering aid to one of the drivers and was transported by Emergency Medical Service to Palisades Medical Center for treatment.
Sentencing in this case has been scheduled for January 6, 2022 before the Honorable Vincent J. Militello, J.S.C.
FILED UNDER SEPTEMBER 17, 2021: LAW, HUDSON: