Parsippany Man Charged in Connection with Fatal Crash in Rockaway Twp

Published on February 10, 2025

Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally announce that Victor Peters, age 45, of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, has been charged with second degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide in connection with a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Route 80 in Rockaway Township on February 2, 2025.

On February 2, 2025, at approximately 2:22 a.m., law enforcement responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 80 West located within Rockaway Township.  The investigation would reveal that a Mercedes SUV had been traveling east in the westbound lanes and struck a 2024 Ford pickup truck traveling west.

The driver of the Ford pickup truck, previously identified as Destinn McKnight, 31, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was pronounced deceased at the scene.  McKnight was the sole occupant of the pickup truck.

Peters sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the collision and was transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment.  Peters was the sole occupant of the Mercedes SUV.

Peters exhibited signs of being under the influence at the scene. As a result of the investigation, Peters has been subsequently charged with one count of second degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a.  He was also issued various motor vehicle summonses related to the incident. 

The next scheduled court appearance will be a pre-indictment conference on a date to be determined by the Court before Judge Ralph Amirata, J.S.C.

Members of the New Jersey State Police and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit participated in this investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to mknab@co.morris.nj.us.