Story by Reporter Eloize
Gustaco Palomo, 39, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, which caused the death of a 19 year old named Jaleel McCauley.
On March 17, 2019, at approximately 6:39 pm McCauley was struck by a white pick-up truck while he was stopped at a red light and Palomo, the driver of the white pick-up truck, fled the scene. McCauley sustained serious injuries and five days later, on March 23, he died from his injuries.
Palomo was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving under the influence of alcohol. He was quickly apprehended.
“By choosing to drink and drive, this defendant ended the very promising life of an accomplished 19-year-old man. Hopefully, the defendant’s long prison sentence will help demonstrate to society that the needless loss of life caused by this truly preventable criminal act will not be tolerated,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who handled the case on behalf of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Palomo is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison, and under the No Early Release Act he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. His sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2020.
