Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 25, 2024, Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno, 18, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Sean D. Gertner, J.S.C., to a term of 20 months to the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission as a result of his previously entered guilty pleas to Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023 – when Sanchez-Centeno was a juvenile. Additionally, Judge Gertner imposed mandatory fines and penalties, as well as a two-year suspension of Sanchez-Centeno’s driving privileges as a consequence of his previously entered guilty to plea to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
On August 3, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department arrived in the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious motor vehicle accident. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Manchester Township Police Department revealed that a blue 2007 Yamaha Motorcycle, operated by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, or Toms River, struck the rear passenger side of a 2005 Nissan Murano. The driver of the Nissan Murano – identified as Sanchez-Centeno – was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Following the crash, Sanchez-Centeno exited the Murano and fled the scene on foot; Manchester Township Police Officers thereafter discovered Sanchez-Centeno hiding in a nearby wooded area. He was taken into custody, and has been lodged a Juvenile Detention Center since August 3, 2023.
Mr. Schlinger, who sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash, ultimately succumbed to those injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River.