VINELAND — City police said today they have arrested a 17-year-old local boy in connection with a February motor vehicle accident that killed an elderly couple.
The youth, who police would only identify as living on Coronado Avenue, is charged with two counts each of vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault.
City police said they charged the youth, who is lodged in the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Center, on Wednesday after consultations with the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Otniel and Eunice Viero, both 77, were killed in a two-car crash about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and South Eighth Street.
Police said after the accident occurred that that a car in which the Vieros were driving was turning onto Chestnut Avenue from South Eighth Street when it was hit in the side by a vehicle driven by a Nevada resident who was traveling on Chestnut Street, they said.
Authorities provided no information as to whether the Nevada resident is the 17-year-old charged in connection with the accident. They also would not comment on what might have caused the accident.
The accident drew local police, fire and emergency services officials to the scene, where Otniel Viero was pronounced dead. Eunice Viero was taken to South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center here, where she eventually died from her injuries.
Contact Thomas Barlas:
609-226-9197
