Newark Truck Driver Sentenced to Four Years for Fatal Collision in Pequannock

Angel Caraballo-Maldona found guilty of Reckless Vehicular Homicide, sentenced under No Early Release Act

Morristown, NJ – Angel Caraballo-Maldona, a 45-year-old truck driver from Newark, has been sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison for causing a fatal crash in Pequannock Township on May 8, 2023. The sentence was delivered on October 27, 2023, by the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C., and stipulates 85% parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act.

The Incident

On the early morning of May 8, law enforcement officers rushed to the scene of a horrific crash at the intersection of Route 23 North and Alexander Avenue in Pequannock Township. A 2020 Chevy Traverse had been rear-ended by a garbage truck while waiting at a red light, leading to a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Despite rescue attempts by officers and medical personnel, the driver of the Chevy Traverse was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Conviction and Sentence

Caraballo-Maldona had previously pled guilty to second-degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide on August 29, 2023. Video footage revealed that he was using his cell phone at the time of the collision, a factor that contributed to his charge and subsequent conviction. 

The sentence was imposed with 85% parole ineligibility under New Jersey's No Early Release Act, effectively requiring Caraballo-Maldona to serve at least three years and five months before becoming eligible for parole.

The case was the result of collaborative work involving the Pequannock Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Pequannock Township Police Chief Daniel Comune were also integral in the prosecution process.

This conviction serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of distracted driving, as well as the legal repercussions that can ensue. It brings closure to a traumatic event that has significantly impacted the communities of Pequannock Township and Morris County at large.