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Samuel Villar, of Somerset, was sentenced on Tuesday, Dec. 5 in connection with the November 2022 Old Bridge accident that killed 33-year-old Arturo Tlapa Luna, of Freehold, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Old Bridge Acting Police Chief, Donald F. Fritz, Jr. said.
On Nov. 9, 2022, at about 2:15 a.m. Old Bridge police responded to a crash that occurred during a pursuit by Marlboro Police, near the intersection of Spring Valley Road and Route 9 South, Ciccone said.
An investigation revealed that Villar, while fleeing police in a stolen vehicle, ran a red light at the intersection and struck multiple vehicles, she said. Several of Luna's family members were also seriously injured, authorities said.
Villar was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter and four counts of second-degree aggravated assault as well as eluding, she said.
Villar must serve 85% of his 12-year sentence before being eligible for parole.
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