By John Burton
FREEHOLD – A Howell man pleaded guilty in state Superior Court on Friday to charges involving a June 2013 fatal car crash that took the life of one of his passengers and seriously injured another.
Jacob Cannizzaro, 21, pleaded to second-degree vehicular homicide, fourth-degree assault by auto and a motor vehicle summons for reckless driving, according to Charles Webster, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Cannizzaro, who is currently free on $100,00 bail, is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 9, for sentencing, Webster said. Under the plea agreement, approved by all parties, including the victims’ families, the state will ask for a five-year prison sentence and will be subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring Cannizzaro to serve a minimum of 85 percent of his sentence before being considered for parole.
In addition, Cannizzaro will be subject to three-years parole supervision upon his release, according to Webster.
The fatal crash occurred on June 14, 2013, on Fort Plains Road, Howell, at about 11:30 p.m. Cannizzaro was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt when he lost control. The investigation determined that Cannizzaro was speeding, passed another car in a no-passing zone and was under the influence at the time of the crash, authorities said.
Mark Chilton, 22, of Freehold, who was riding in the rear of Cannizzaro’s car, was killed. Anglo Capasso, 21, of Howell, who was in the front passenger seat, was seriously injured but survived, according to Webster.
