Attorney: Driver In Gas Station Crash That Killed 3 Didn't Know Heroin Was Laced With Fentanyl

The drugged Sussex County driver accused of killing a father, son and gas station attendant in a fiery Route 23 crash didn't know that his heroin was laced with fentanyl, his lawyer said.

Jason Vanderee, inset, is accused of killing three people in a Route 23 crash. His attorney says he didn't know his heroin was laced with fentanyl that caused him to pass out behind the wheel of his SUV.
Photo Credit: *PCPO (inset)/Ed Lamoureaux*

Cecilia Levine

06/20/2019 3:32 p.m.

Defense attorney John Latoracca said if the case goes to trial he'll argue that Jason Vanderee was passed out behind the wheel because of the fentanyl, News12 reports.

Vanderee, 29, of Vernon, said he doesn't remember the February crash.

Jon Warbeck and his son, Luke, both of Lincoln Park, were getting gas the morning of Feb. 19 when the speeding Honda Pilot with an overdosed Vanderee behind the wheel literally flew into them and the attendant at the Delta gas station on the highway's northbound side.

Security video shows the airborne Honda Pilot shearing the top of the Warbecks' Chevy Camaro convertible from the bottom of the driver's side window and smashing square through the attendant, who had just closed the car's gas cap.

Jon Warbeck -- a 51-year-old former Carlstadt firefighter -- 17-year-old Luke were instantly killed, as was the attendant, Lovedeep Fatra, 23, of Pequannock.

Vanderee, who has a long history of drug-related offenses, is due back in Superior Court in Hackensack on July 15.

SEE: Hearing Set For Driver In Gas Station Crash That Killed Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant

Click here to follow Daily Voice Garfield-Lodi and receive free news updates.