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The pickup driver, William Clark, 38, of Hawthorne, was charged with vehicular homicide -- also known as death by auto -- in connection with the Oct. 5 crash that killed Harold Almonte, a 33-year-old alternative R&B singer/songwriter.
Clark had apparently just left Duffy's Tavern on River Street in Paterson when his southbound 2013 GMC Sierra crossed over the double-yellow line into the northbound lane on Wagaraw Road at Maple Avenue in Fair Lawn around 8:30 p.m., law enforcement sources said.
The truck hit the motorcycle and slammed head-on into a utility pole.
Almonte, who's also from Hawthorne, was rushed to the trauma unit at St. Joseph's University Hospital. He died a short time later during surgery, responders said.
Clark, meanwhile, "was suspected of operating his motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest," Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said..
Wagaraw Road between Lincoln and Maple avenues remained closed until nearly 5:30 a.m. Friday.
A PSE&G crew responded to assess the pole's viability and to correct any problems.
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