Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 21-year-old New York man has pled guilty to causing the death of a friend while driving impaired last summer in Southampton Township.
Anthony Lorenz, of Ossining, entered the plea yesterday in Superior Court in Mount Holly to charges of Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree), Assault by Auto (Third Degree), and Driving While Intoxicated (Traffic Summons).
Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Lorenz will serve six years in New Jersey state prison in exchange for the plea, and must complete 85 percent of the term before being considered for parole. The Hon. Philip E. Haines, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for May 25.
The investigation revealed that Lorenz, Roy Song, 21, also of Ossining, and another man were traveling on Hilliards Bridge Road just after 3:30 a.m. on July 3, 2021, when the Subaru WRX being driven by the defendant exited the roadway and struck a guardrail, tree stump and utility pole.
Song, who was ejected from the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The rear seat passenger was treated for a fractured sternum. Lorenz, who sustained minor injuries, told police at the scene that they were headed to a nearby Wawa. No other vehicles were involved.
Lorenz indicated when pleading guilty that he had been consuming alcoholic beverages prior to the crash, and acknowledged that his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.
The investigation was conducted by New Jersey State Police Troopers from the Red Lion Station.
Lorenz is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit.