New Jersey

Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Crash That Killed His 2 Brothers

A man accused of driving drunk during a crash in New Jersey that killed his two brothers has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Santos Javier Archaga-Mendoza, 37, was sentenced Friday to the aggregate term, which Morris County prosecutors said does not include eligibility for parole.

Archaga-Mendoza pleaded guilty in May to two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide as well as fourth-degree assault and driving under the influence.

He was originally charged with death by auto in the early morning September 2017 single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 46 in Dover that killed his brothers, Joel and David, and injured a third person.

Authorities said the brothers and some friends had gone out to a nightclub to celebrate the defendant's birthday. The Daily Journal reported that he told investigators his foot got stuck on the gas pedal as he tried to make a turn and lost control of the pickup he was driving with four passengers. Prosecutors said evidence indicated that he was speeding and intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us