Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 21-year-old New York man has been sentenced to six years in New Jersey state prison for causing the death of a friend while driving impaired last summer in Southampton Township.
Anthony Lorenz, of Ossining, must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Lorenz pled guilty last month in Superior Court in Mount Holly to charges of Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree), Assault by Auto (Third Degree), and Driving While Intoxicated (Traffic Summons).
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 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 store. 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.
“This is a heartbreaking case involving very close friends,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “I urge all who hear about this tragedy to take a moment to consider the pain this avoidable death created, and remember it the next time they have been consuming alcohol and foolishly believe they are capable of safely driving a vehicle.”
Lorenz was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit. The investigation was conducted by New Jersey State Police Troopers from the Red Lion Station.