SEASIDE HEIGHTS – A local woman has been charged for Vehicular Homicide and more after hitting a man with her car, resulting in his death, officials said.
Genell Mcinaw, 50, of Seaside Park, was charged with Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Seaside Heights resulting in the death of Robert Popovics, 75, of Seaside Park.
Around 9:30 p.m. on September 23, officers found a 75-year-old man lying unconscious with serious injuries in the roadway near Dupont Avenue and the Boulevard. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, officials said.
According to officials, a dark colored sedan was traveling south on the Boulevard when it hit the victim and left the area. It was later determined that Mcinaw was operating the car at the time of the crash.
Mcinaw was taken into custody at her home without incident and was initially charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person.
She was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where a draw of her blood was obtained. She was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Laboratory results of Mcinaw’s blood draw revealed that her Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was .187, which is over the legal limit of .08.
As a consequence of Popovics succumbing to his injuries from the crash, as well as the results of Mcinaw’s blood draw, the charges against Mcinaw have been upgraded to Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death.
On November 5, Mcinaw surrendered herself to Seaside Heights Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
