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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Teen pleads guilty in fatal DWI crash

SOMERVILLE — A Montgomery teenager will spend up to the next five years in jail for killing a Kingston woman on Route 206 in December.

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
SOMERVILLE — A Montgomery teenager will spend up to the next five years in jail for killing a Kingston woman on Route 206 in December.
   Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano announced Friday that Samuel E. Oltmans, 18, of the Belle Mead section pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree death by auto, underage driving while intoxicated and using a wireless communications device while being a provisional driver during a court appearance Friday, according to a press release from the prosecutor’s office.
   The charges stem from a fatal accident on Route 206 in Montgomery Township on Dec. 22.
   According to the release, Mr. Oltmans’ gray 2009 Honda Accord crossed the double yellow line at 11:25 p.m. as it traveled north on Route 206 between Orchard and Montgomery roads.
   His vehicle struck a southbound gold 2000 Honda Accord driven by Laurie A. O’Neil of Laurel Avenue in the village of Kingston.
   Multiple police and emergency crews responded to the scene of the crash where Ms. O’Neil received “massive injuries” and was pronounced dead, according to the release.
   Mr. Oltmans was taken to Robert Wood University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was treated for his injuries and discharged several hours later.
   After an investigation the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office later filed a juvenile delinquency complaint against Mr. Oltmans, who was a minor at the time of the crash, according to the release.
   The initial complaint charged Mr. Oltmans with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, fourth-degree possession of a simulated drivers license, disorderly persons offenses of providing alcohol to minors, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and traffic violations including failing to keep right, operating a motor vehicle after 11 p.m. while a provisional driver, operating an interactive wireless communication device while being a provisional driver, reckless driving, using a wireless telephone on a public road, driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated under 21 years old, according to the release.
   A test of Mr. Oltmans’ blood at 3 a.m. the night of the crash returned a blood-alcohol level of 0.067, according to police.
   According to the release, the state and the attorney for Mr. Oltmans entered into an agreement to resolve the charges after they were filed.
   Mr. Oltmans’ Woodbridge attorney, Ellen Torregrossa-O’Connor, said Mr. Oltmans accepted the plea deal to avoid putting the O’Neil family and his own the pain of going through a trial on the charges.
   ”This case is incredibly tragic for all involved,” Ms. O’Connor said Monday. “He made a tragic mistake that took a life and he is profoundly sorry.”
   Mr. Oltmans waived his right to keep the case in the juvenile system and also waived his right to a Grand Jury proceeding, according to the release.
   Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mr. Oltmans will be sentenced on June 28 to serve 85 percent of a five-year maximum in prison, according to the release.
   ”He took responsibility for his actions from the beginning and took the plea,” Ms. O’Connor said. “He still has much to contribute to this world.”
   Mr. Oltmans’ bail was revoked following his plea and he was remanded to the Somerset County Jail to await sentencing in front of Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed, sitting in Somerville.