21-Year-Old Old Bridge Man Sentenced To Prison For Driving Drunk & Causing The Death Of A Sayreville Woman
Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 10:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
OLD BRIDGE, NJ.- On Friday, June 14, 2024, a 21-year-old Old Bridge, New Jersey man appeared in Middlesex County Superior Court and was sentenced to State Prison in connection with driving while intoxicated and causing a motor vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 45-year-old Sayreville, New Jersey woman and injured two others that occurred last June in Old Bridge Township.
According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, on June 16, 2023, just shortly before 11:30 p.m., members of the Old Bridge Police Department were dispatched to Route 18 and Ferris Road after receiving a report of a serious multi-vehicle crash.
Upon arrival, Police Officers and First Responders located a serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles. Florence Akoma, 45, of Sayreville, New Jersey a passenger in a Honda Accord, succumbed to injuries she sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Honda Accord sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of another vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.
Following an investigation by Detective Dan Haviland of the Old Bridge Township Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective James Alleva determined that a Nissan Rouge being driven by James Cannici, 21, of Old Bridge, New Jersey, turned left from Ferris Road on to the wrong side of Route 18 and struck the Honda Accord and another car.
Cannici was taken into custody at the scene and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, and later charged with first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter; second-degree Vehicular Homicide; third-degree Assault by Auto; and fourth-degree Assault by Auto.
Following Cannici pleading guilty to multiple charges, last Friday, Cannici appeared in court and was sentenced by the Honorable Craig Corson, J.S.C. to a term of 5 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to The No Early Release Act, which will require Cannici to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole. Judge Corson ordered that upon Cannici's release, he will be subject to an additional 3 years of parole supervision and will have his New Jersey driving privileges suspended for 5 years.
FILED UNDER: JUNE 19, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MIDDLESEX: