A man has admitted that he was driving recklessly when he struck and killed a bicyclist three years ago, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Timothy Puskas pleaded guilty Monday to vehicular homicide in the January 2012 death of 26-year-old New Brunswick resident Leonel Lopez Hernandez. He now faces an eight-year state prison term when he's sentenced next month.
Middlesex County prosecutors say Hernandez, the father of two young children, was riding his bike home from his job when he was struck by a sport utility vehicle driven by the 40-year-old Puskas.
Investigators say Puskas was driving on Georges Road and heading toward North Brunswick when he crossed into the oncoming traffic lane and struck Hernandez, who was on the side of the road. Hernandez died at the scene.
A co-defendant in the case, 38-year-old Stephen Gallo, pleaded guilty to hindering the apprehension of Puskas by helping to hide the SUV. Gallo, of Milltown, was a passenger in the vehicle when the accident occurred.
Gallo is expected to receive a probation term of up to five years when he's sentenced.
