Newark Man Charged With Manslaughter In Crash That Killed Correctional Officer

A 24-year-old Newark man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for causing a fatal crash Saturday while fleeing from police, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Dashawn Walton
Photo Credit: *Essex County Prosecutor's Office*

Paul Milo

08/30/2019 12:30 p.m.

Police in Hillside attempted to pull over a Nissan Altima driven by Dashawn Walton around 2:30 a.m. According to authorities, Walton fled the wrong way down Aldine Street and into Newark. He crashed into a Ford Mustang at Bragaw Avenue, pushing it into a light pole, according to authorities.

Omar Martin, who was in the Mustang and was not involved in the pursuit, was killed. The 49-year-old Newark resident was a correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark.

Walton has also been charged with vehicular homicide, eluding, causing a death while driving without a license

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