A Good Samaritan is dead after police say he was struck and killed by a DUI driver.
Anibal Espinoza, 34, of North Plainfield along with three other people were inside a van on the Garden State Parkway on Saturday shortly before 5 p.m. Suddenly they noticed a disabled Silver Ford Focus at mile marker 74.7 in Lacey Township, New Jersey. Police say the driver of the Focus, Gabrielle Pacquing, 22, of Barnegat, had lost control of her vehicle and spun out due to ice on the road.
Espinoza, along with the other three passengers pulled over and tried to push the car off the northbound lane. As they were assisting the woman, police say they were struck by a Gold Chrysler PT Cruiser that was passing by. Espinoza was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The other three passengers who were with him along with Pacquing were all taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Police arrested the driver of the vehicle that allegedly struck Espinoza, identified as Eric Hernandez, 26, of New London, Connecticut. They also arrested his passenger, identified as Carlvina Williams, 26, also of New London. Hernandez was charged with causing death/injury while driving unlicensed, driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and obstruction. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $50,000 full bail, according to police. Williams was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and obstruction. Police say she was released pending a court date.
