SOMERVILLE, NJ — Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald announced the sentencing of 24-year-old Jose C. Villanueva-Izaguirre of Plainfield, NJ. On May 10, 2024, Superior Court Judge Angela F. Borkowski handed down a five-year prison term to Villanueva-Izaguirre for multiple charges, including third and fourth-degree Assault by Auto, Driving While Unlicensed and Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle.
This sentencing stems from a severe crash that occurred on June 11, 2023, at the intersection of Route 22 eastbound and Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater. Driving a Honda without a license and under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Villanueva-Izaguirre ran a red light at high speed and collided with a Kia, seriously injuring two passengers. Tests later confirmed Villanueva-Izaguirre’s blood alcohol level at 0.12%, with cocaine and THC also present in his system.
Additionally, Villanueva-Izaguirre is mandated to pay $17,623.73 in restitution to one of the six victims. The Bridgewater Township Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team conducted the investigation, with Assistant Prosecutor John Ascione leading the prosecution.