NJ dash cam captures horrifying 105 mph crash that killed teen passenger
☑️Dash cam video shows a car traveling about 105 mph before a fatal Route 1 crash
☑️A 17-year-old passenger and her dog were killed after the car struck a traffic light
☑️The driver is due in court July 20 for his first appearance
WOODBRIDGE — Dash cam and traffic cam videos show the fatal fiery crash of a car after it slammed into a traffic light around midnight on Feb. 19.
Mikael Salman, 18, of the Iselin section, was behind the wheel of a Nissan with New York plates as it sped south on Route 1 at an estimated 105 mph. Officer Khari Manzini followed the Nissan, which went off the highway for a minute before getting back on. Other officers joined in the pursuit, with Manzini stating that the vehicle may be headed for the Outerbridge Crossing to Staten Island.
As the Nissan speeds through a red light at Gill Lane, it hits a Buick, seriously injuring Mark Alexich, of Hamilton. The now-flaming Nissan crashes into the traffic light at full speed. Officer Manzini gets out of his vehicle and calls for Advanced Life Support to the scene. No police vehicle was involved in the crash.
A 17-year-old passenger in Salman's car, identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Karla Gamero, 17, of Edison, and her dog, were killed in the crash.
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First appearance coming July 20
Salman was hospitalized after the crash. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, July 20. He is represented by attorney Jason Seidman.
Salman has been charged with:
🚨 Second-degree vehicular homicide
🚨 First-degree eluding
🚨 Three counts of second-degree aggravated assault
🚨 Fourth-degree assault by auto
🚨 Endangering the welfare of a child
🚨 Animal cruelty
Salman rejected a plea deal in April that would have dropped a vehicular homicide charge in exchange for guilty pleas to aggravated assault, eluding, and animal cruelty, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office told NJ.com. He would have faced 20 years behind bars.
The Attorney General's Office is investigating per New Jersey law, which requires it to investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with an on-duty police officer.
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Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander
