NEWARK – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced Tuesday that Jennifer Sahoye, 35, of Rahway has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal collision that caused the death of Carlos Carvalho, 58, of Elizabeth.
On Oct. 10, Sahoye was involved in a fatal crash on Route 1 & 9 in Newark at approximately 5 p.m. While traveling southbound in the express lanes of Route 1 & 9, near the Route 78 interchange, she crossed into the southbound local lanes and hit Carvalho, causing his Ford pickup truck to overturn. He was ejected from the truck and sustained fatal injuries. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicated witnesses believed Sahoye was texting while driving. Further investigation confirmed she was texting at the time of the fatal crash.
Sahoye was originally charged with causing death while driving with a suspended license. She was additionally charged with vehicular homicide based on evidence of her texting while driving. She was arraigned today on both charges before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, Presiding Criminal Judge of the Superior Court.
Sahoye was taken into custody. She is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail. If convicted, Sahoye faces a maximum of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.