West Windsor man faces DWI, other charges
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The West Windsor driver of a car that struck and killed a Trenton woman as she tried to cross Brunswick Pike at Bakers Basin Road in her motorized wheelchair faces multiple charges in connection with the Aug. 23 accident, according to police.
Mitchell R. Depace, 26, was charged with death by auto, driving under the influence and reckless driving after his car struck Jennifer L. Grondski, 40, in the northbound lane of Brunswick Pike, said police Lt. Mark Ubry.
Mr. Depace was released from the Mercer County Corrections Center Aug. 24 after posting $100,000 bail and arraigned in Lawrence Township Municipal Court on Monday. His case has been forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
No date has been set for an appearance in Mercer County Superior Court, said Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ms. Grondski, who was attempting to cross the intersection against the traffic light, was pronounced dead at the scene after the 11:43 p.m. accident, said Lt. Ubry.
Mr. Depace, who was driving a 2011 Nissan Altima, had the right-of-way because the traffic light was green for cars traveling on Brunswick Pike.
Ms. Grondski’s motorized wheelchair was in the striped crosswalk on Brunswick Pike as she was crossing the highway from Franklin Corner Road toward Bakers Basin Road when the accident occurred, said Lt. Ubry.
A passenger in Mr. Depace’s car suffered some minor injuries due to the collision and airbag deployment, he said.
The case is under investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with further information should contact the Police Department at 609-896-1111.