Story by Ethan
On July 3rd, 2024, charges against Joseph Vega, age 43, were announced by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department. Joseph Vega was charged with three counts of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter, and three counts of second-degree Vehicular Homicide.
According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, a crash was reported around the area of Route 1 and Ridge Road at approximately 9:36 a.m., on April 12th, 2024. Responding officers found a tractor-trailer that struck a passenger van on the Route 1, and Ridge Road intersection. Three individuals were inside of the van that was struck; 24 year-old Charisse Nelson-Bailey, 28-year old Daniel Vida, and 25-year old Maria Passilares. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation was promptly launched by Officer Bryan Sites, of the South Brunswick Police Department, and Sergeant Jonathan Berman, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation revealed that Joseph Vega, who was driving the tractor-trailer, failed to stop at a red light, while transporting a load of concrete. Joseph Vega then hit the passenger van, which caused the van to also collide with two other vehicles. The crash resulted in both the tractor-trailer, and the passenger van, catching on fire. Joseph Vega was subsequently charged on May 29th, 2024, and arrested by U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force in Georgia on July 3rd, 2024.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office stated the charges against Joseph Vega are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
