Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel announced today that charges have been filed against Antonio Vargas, the driver involved in a deadly crash in Somers Point on Jan. 6.
Vargas, 21, is charged with being involved in a fatal accident while driving with a suspended license, a third-degree offense.
Vargas was allegedly traveling at a high speed on Shore Road in Somers Point when he crashed his car into a telephone pole and sent a fire hydrant flying before the vehicle finally stopped at the door of a local bar.
The crash killed Vargas’ passenger, 33-year-old Kevin Botta of Somers Point, while the flying fire hydrant seriously injured a bystander, 26-year-old Joseph Higbee of Northfield who was at the bar to celebrate his birthday.
Higbee is still in the hospital in stable condition. Vargas also remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Housel also said that further charges might be coming against Vargas as authorities continue to investigate.
