According to authorities, a South Toms River truck driver was charged with vehicular murder in connection with a hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a 57-year-old lady in early June.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office arrested 41-year-old Tremel Haskins on Monday.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Haskins struck Marie Bellavista, a resident of South Toms River, on June 7 at approximately 3:50 a.m. while operating a tractor-trailer on Colgate Drive. Officers discovered Bellavista dead when they got there.
According to the South Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Haskins was operating a Volvo semi-truck when he collided with Bellavista and fled the scene.
Detectives discovered Haskins in a Route 37 Walmart parking lot. He was arrested and charged with four driving violations, including driving under the influence, according to officials. Haskins had marijuana in his system at the time of the collision, according to subsequent lab results.
According to officials, detectives discovered a Colt revolver with a caliber of.38 in the Volvo vehicle. Haskins has been convicted of drug distribution twice before. Authorities claimed he was charged with two illegal firearms charges as a result.
According to officials, he turned himself in to the South Toms River Police on June 17. After being detained at the Ocean County Jail, Haskins was eventually freed in accordance with the bail reform law of New Jersey.
Authorities said he was arrested on Monday after a warrant for his arrest was issued on July 31. He is still being held while he awaits a detention hearing at the Ocean County Jail.
