Man Pleads Guilty to DWI, Vehicular Homicide Following Howell Car Accident

A man from Howell, New Jersey recently pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide after an automobile accident led to the death of one of the passengers in his car. The defendant, 21-year-old Joseph M. Gonsalves, was also charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to maintain his lane, in connection with the crash.

The car accident in question occurred on Alexander Avenue in the vicinity of Larabee Boulevard in Howell at approximately 10:00 p.m. on April 16, 2014. Gonsalves reportedly lost control of his vehicle, subsequently driving off the road, striking a mailbox and three trees. His passenger, 21-year-old Ronald Tremblay Jr., was riding in the back seat of the 2008 Nissan Altima, and was tragically killed as a result of the crash.

Tremblay did not have his seat belt fastened at the time of the accident and sustained catastrophic injuries to the head, face, throat, and abdomen. He was transported to Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood and was declared deceased shortly thereafter. The other passenger in the vehicle, 21-year-old Manalapan Township resident Brandon Roselli, and Gonsalves, both received treatment for their injuries following the incident and were later released.

According to Gonsalves’ attorney, he was set upon taking responsibility for the accident, accepting a plea agreement from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in lieu of a trial. Per the terms of the deal, Gonsalves pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, as well as driving while intoxicated, while the other motor vehicle violations will be dismissed.

He will be sentenced to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison, 85 percent of which must be served before he becomes eligible for parole, per the dictates of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act. It remains to be seen whether Gonsalves will also face a civil lawsuit brought by the surviving members of Tremblay’s family. Due to his intoxicated state preceding the crash, he may be found liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

For additional information regarding this case, see the following article: Howell man faces 5 years for fatal DWI crash