A North Jersey man pleaded guilty in connection with a 100 mph car crash that killed a 70-year-old woman, authorities announced Monday.
Alexander Eiden, of Essex Fells, copped to one count of vehicular manslaughter in the death of Christine Perrella on Jan. 9, 2023, in Roseland, according to NJ.com.
Cops said Eiden was driving 103 mph in a 50 mph zone when he slammed into another vehicle, which was being driven by Perrella. No passengers were in either vehicle.
Perrella, 70, was rushed to a local hospital but pronounced dead. Eiden, 23 at the time of the crash, was initially charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Additionally, he was issued traffic citations for reckless driving.
If convicted on the aggravated manslaughter charge, Eiden could have faced 10-30 years in prison under New Jersey law. But the charge he pleaded guilty to, vehicular manslaughter, only carries a maximum sentence of 5-10 years.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s office did not say any sentencing guidelines were included in Eiden’s plea deal, according to NJ.com. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 19.
Perrella was remembered in her obituary as a loving grandmother, “a loyal and caring person” who “most especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.”