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Jose Cruz Villanueva-Izaguirre was behind the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a Kia Sedona after driving at high speed through a red light on June 11, 2023, at 2:09 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said.
Villanueva-Izaguirre, as well as his passengers — two adults and a teen — were seriously injured in the crash, authorities said. One passenger was found unresponsive in the back seat, suffering from near-fatal injuries authorities said. All four were rushed to RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick for minor injuries, authorities said.
The Kia driver, as well as the two adults in the back seat, were also taken to RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick, one of them with a “serious internal injury,” authorities said.
Villanueva-IzaguirreIza was intoxicated, did not have a driver’s license, and two of his three passengers were not wearing seatbelts, authorities said. Villanueva-Izaguirre was driving belonged to an acquaintance, and he had taken the vehicle without the owner’s knowledge or permission, authorities said. Villanueva-Izaguirre was also found to have cocaine and THC in his system.
He was sentenced after pleading guilty to assault by auto, driving while unlicensed and causing serious bodily injury, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and driving while unlicensed. He was ordered to pay $17,623.73 in restitution to one of the six victims.
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