20 YEAR OLD CHESTERFIELD NEW JERSEY MOTORIST CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF A BICYCLIST HE STRUCK WITH HIS PICKUP TRUCK
" Dylan Weatherwalks Charged With Second Degree Vehicular Homicide For Causing The Death Of Bicyclist Julie Galezniak On December 4, 2021."
February 5, 2022 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
CHESTERFIELD, NJ.- On Thursday, February 3, 2022 Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Chesterfield Township Police Chief Michael Davison announced that a 20-Year-Old Chesterfield, New Jersey man has been Charged with Causing the Death of a Cyclist that he Struck with his Pickup Truck while traveling at a High Rate of Speed in The 100 block of Sykesville Road late last year.
Dylan Weatherwalks, 20, of Chesterfield, was Charged with Second Degree Vehicular Homicide. Mr. Weatherwalks surrendered Thursday morning and was lodged in The Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, New Jersey pending a first appearance in Superior Court. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began after Members of The Chesterfield Township Police Department responded to the scene of the Collision on December 4, 2022 at approximately 12:15 p.m.
The investigation determined that Mr. Weatherwalks came upon a group of cyclists while traveling southbound along Sykesville Road, a two-lane roadway with no shoulders. Mr. Weatherwalks veered into the northbound lane to pass the cyclists on a hill with an obstructed view of oncoming traffic.
The investigation further determined that as Mr. Weatherwalks crested the hill, and encountered a vehicle traveling toward him and veered back into the southbound lane, over-correcting and Striking Cyclist Julie Galezniak, 62, of Stratford, New Jersey. Ms. Galezniak was thrown from her bike and sustained severe injuries, including a Fractured Skull. Ms. Galezniak was airlifted to a Trenton hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, and was subsequently pronounced deceased later that afternoon.
An analysis performed by The New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Reconstruction Unit determined that Mr. Weatherwalks was traveling at a Speed of 75 Miles Per Hour as he approached the Cyclists in his Chevrolet Silverado. The speed limit along that stretch of Sykesville Road is posted as 50 Miles Per Hour.
In addition to the Criminal Charges, Mr. Weatherwalks was issued Traffic Summonses for Speeding, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, and Improper Passing.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER FEBRUARY 5, 2022: LAW, BURLINGTON: