Vehicular Homicide Charges Filed in May 13 Lakehurst Crash

Two counts of vehicular homicide have been filed against the 17-year-old driver whose car was involved in a fatal crash near the Lakehurst circle on May 13, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford.

Alex Daniele, 17, of Jackson, has been charged in the deaths of James Volpe, the back seat passenger in the vehicle he was driving, and Robert Vallee, the 41-year-old Manchester resident who drove the other vehicle.

"After an exhaustive investigation by this office, we found probable cause to file two counts of vehicular homicide," Ford said in a release. 

The complaint alleges that Daniele "drove his vehicle in a reckless manner, at high rates of speed, causing [him] to lose control of his vehicle" on Route 37 while heading west toward Lakehurst.

“In addition to two counts of vehicular homicide, the defendant was issued a traffic summons for reckless driving," Ford said.

Daniele holds a probationary license, meaning he cannot transport more than one juvenile passenger in his vehicle and is also charged with violating provisional driving laws.

"Traffic offenses will not be heard until all matters pending in the Superior Court, Family Court, are resolved," Ford said.

All court proceedings will be closed to the public and media, Ford said, as Daniele is a minor. 

The cars  in Lakehurst at 8:45 p.m. May 13. Volpe was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle. Daniele and another passenger, Christopher Russo, 17, of Jackson, were transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where they were treated and released the following day.

Vallee died from his injuries at Jersey Shore Medical Center on May 22.