Girl taken off life support
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Just one day after a head-on car crash, allegedly caused by a drunken driver, claimed the life of her father, a 4-year-old girl has succumbed to the injuries she sustained.
Her passing Monday was confirmed by Casey A. DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ms. DeBlasio could not confirm published reports which identified the girl as Jasmine DeLeon of Trenton, and stated the girl was taken off life support after being declared brain dead.
The crash occurred just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday when a Dodge Durango operated by Manuel Gutierrez Vazquez, 27, of Camden was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 29 and struck a Nissan Quest driven by Jorge DeLeon, 28, of Trenton,
Mr. DeLeon perished at the scene, according to Sgt. Grossman of the New Jersey State Police.
In addition, Mr. DeLeon’s two passengers, Jasmine and a 6-year-old boy, were injured and transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton, respectively.
Ms. DeBlasio was unable to provide an updated condition on the boy.
Mr. Vazquez is charged with death by auto, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of operating a motor vehicle while being unlicensed and causing death and serious bodily injury, Sgt. Grossman said.
Ms. DeBlasio said a second count of death by auto was added Thursday due to Jasmine’s death as a result of the accident.
In addition, an immigration detainer has been issued by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as Mr. Vazquez is not in the country legally, Ms. DeBlasio said.
Mr. Vazquez remains in custody on $400,000 bail, which was increased from $250,000 after the addition death by auto charge was announced, according to Ms. DeBlasio.According to Ms. DeBlasio a bail reconsideration hearing is scheduled for June 24 where Mr. Vazquez’s bail may be increased or decreased depending on a judge’s review of the case.

