19-Year-Old Accused of DUI, Cellphone Use in Fatal Lower Township Crash

LOWER TOWNSHIP — A 19-year-old Erma man accused of driving under the influence and using his cellphone has been charged in a violent Route 9 crash that killed one man and seriously injured another, authorities said.

Edward McVey faces second-degree vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, third-degree assault by auto while driving under the influence and fourth-degree assault by auto involving the use of a handheld device in connection with the Oct. 1 crash.

The crash occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on Route 9, also known as Shore Road, near Spruce Street in the Erma section of Lower Township, according to court records reported by New Jersey 101.5.

Investigators allege McVey's vehicle forcefully struck the rear of another vehicle, causing it to roll over. Both occupants of that vehicle were ejected. The 56-year-old driver was killed, while a 36-year-old male passenger suffered serious injuries and was airlifted for treatment. The names of the victims had not been publicly released as of Sunday morning.

Court records provide additional details about what investigators say happened immediately before and after the crash.

McVey allegedly told police at the scene that he had been using his cellphone and was not paying full attention when the collision occurred. Investigators also reported an odor of alcohol and slurred speech, and a blood sample was taken.

Witnesses told investigators they saw McVey's vehicle speeding without its headlights on and running a red light at the intersection of Routes 9 and 47 shortly before the crash, according to the court records.

After the collision, McVey's vehicle continued for approximately 100 feet before coming to rest on a nearby lawn, investigators alleged. Authorities also reported recovering an empty miniature Fireball whiskey bottle from an area of the scene where McVey had been seen after the crash.

In addition to the criminal charges, McVey was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving under the influence, underage operation of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol, use of a handheld telephone and reckless driving, according to court records.

Those records also reveal another detail: McVey allegedly received a separate reckless-driving ticket less than 48 hours before the fatal collision.

That summons was issued Tuesday night in Wildwood while McVey was driving the same white 2022 Infiniti later involved in the fatal Route 9 crash, according to Ocean City Daily's review of court records.

McVey made his first court appearance Friday by video from the Cape May County Correctional Facility. A detention hearing is expected next week.

The second-degree vehicular homicide charge carries a potential sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison if McVey is convicted.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Lower Township Police Chief Donald Vanaman Jr. announced the charges. McVey was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.

The investigation remains active.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135 or submit an anonymous tip through the prosecutor's office tip system. The phone number is also listed by Cape May County for the Prosecutor's Office.

All charges are accusations, and McVey is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.