Dover Man Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter, Death By Auto, and Knowingly Leaving the Scene
Published on February 24, 2014
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Colonel Joseph (Rick) Fuentes of the New Jersey State Police, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Walt Ardin, Jr. announce that Edward G. Koloski, 26 years old, of Dover, New Jersey, has been charged with First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter, Second Degree Death by Auto and Second Degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death.
At approximately 11:59 pm, on the night of Sunday, February 23, 2014, multiple emergency calls were made reporting a motor vehicle hit and run in the area of the ShopRite shopping center located on Route 46 in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Responding police units located a male with apparent injuries consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle. The male was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time.
Shortly thereafter, Troopers with the New Jersey State Police responded to the area of Route 80 Eastbound regarding the report of a disabled vehicle. The Troopers made contact with the sole occupant of the vehicle. The vehicle had extensive front end damage. The Troopers detected the odor of alcoholic beverages on the person, and also observed that the person was exhibiting signs of being under the influence. The occupant was removed from his vehicle and placed under arrest.
After an investigation, the defendant, Edward Koloski, was charged by way of Warrant-Complaint with Aggravated Manslaughter, a crime of the first degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4a, Death by Auto, a crime of the second degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a, and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, a crime of the second degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1.
The Honorable James M. DeMarzo, J.S.C. set bail in the amount of $350,000 cash, bond or property, with additional conditions set by the Court.
Anyone with information relating to these charges or the accident itself is urged to contact the Rockaway Township Police Department at 973-625-4000, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers at 973-267-2255.
Acting Prosecutor Fredric Knapp would like to thank the New Jersey State Police, the Rockaway Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit whose efforts contributed to this arrest.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.