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Sentencing in Vehicular Homicide Case

Toms River, NJ – Today Deborah L. Tadych, 61, of Brick Township was sentenced by the Honorable Francis R. Hodgson, J.S.C. to a 7 year term to NJ State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act. With respect to the Driving while intoxicated charge, the Court imposed all the mandatory penalties and suspended the defendant’s driver’s license for a period of  12 months. The Court further suspended the defendant’s driver’s license with respect to the vehicular homicide for 10 years – to commence when the defendant is released from custody. Finally, the Court sentenced the defendant to three (3) years of parole supervision upon her release from custody.

The case stemmed from a motor vehicle collision which occurred on December 18, 2012 in Brick Township. On that date, at approximately 6:37 pm, the Brick Township Police Department responded to reports of a serious motor collision involving two vehicles on Herbertsville Road near the intersection of Sawmill Road. According to witnesses at the scene a 2008 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Deborah L. Tadych, was travelling southbound in the northbound lane of Herbertsville Road without headlights. Two vehicles observed the vehicle coming directly at them and were able to avoid impact by pulling to the side of the road. Tragically, a 1997 Grand Marquis driven by Susan Steeper, 65, also of Brick, was not able to avoid a head-on impact. Ms. Steeper was extricated from her vehicle and transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter. Officers at the scene noted an odor of alcohol about Ms. Tadych. Subsequent testing revealed that her blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit. Further investigation revealed that just prior to this collision; Tadych had been involved in a hit and run incident by striking a parked vehicle when pulling out of her driveway just minutes away from the crash scene.

During today’s sentencing, the defendant was represented by William P. Cunningham, Esq. The State was represented by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Executive Assistant Deborah Hanlon-Schron. Counsel for the defendant asked that the Court sentence Tadych to a seven (7) year sentence, subject to the No Early Release Act. Cunningham argued that the defendant’s complete lack of a prior criminal record, as well as, a minimal motor vehicle history was proper mitigation for the Court to impose a 7 year sentence. Counsel also referred the Court to a letter authored by the defendant for sentencing wherein she expressed sincere remorse for her actions. Tadych also apologized to the family members of the victim who were present in the courtroom, acknowledged her alcoholism and how it has adversely affected her relationship with her children.

The State argued that the Court needed to specifically consider the nature and circumstances of this particular case. Emphasizing, that on the date of the fatal Tadych was driving without any lights, causing 2 additional vehicles to swerve to avoid impact with Tadych before she hit the victim head on. This all took place after the defendant had left her home, hitting a parked car as she pulled out of her driveway and kept going. The defendant had a half -full bottle of Lairds vodka in her purse.

The Court agreed with some arguments of each side. The Court believed that the nature and circumstances of the event were particularly heinous; yet also found that the defendant’s remorse for her actions was sincere. The Court also found that there was a risk that the defendant would commit another offense, but gave the defendant some mitigating circumstances as well. The Court indicated that vehicular homicides are probably the most difficult types of cases. There may not be any intent to cause serious harm – but an innocent person lost their life. After weighing all of the factors, the Court imposed the stated sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Brick Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, specifically Patrolman Dierking and Patrolman Lampiasi, Detective Eric Skieczius of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit Detective Craig Ally. Victim witness Advocacy Coordinator Carol Froberg provided assistance throughout the prosecution. The matter was prosecuted by Executive Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Hanlon-Schron.

Tadych has immediately remanded to NJ State Prison to serve out her sentence. She has been continuously incarcerated since January 3, 2013, unable to post bail of $50,000 no 10% option.

 

Deborah L. Tadych

Deborah L. Tadych

Photo courtesy the Ocean County Jail

 

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