Alleged Drunk Driver Indicted in E. Hanover Man's Death
Parsippany resident Vanessa Brown could get up to 40 years behind bars.
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Indictments were handed down Thursday against a Parsippany resident believed to have been drunk when she struck and killed an East Hanover man with her car in May, the Daily Record reported.
A Morris County grand jury issued indictments against 32-year-old Vanessa E. Brown on charges of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. The charges stem from the May 5 accident that killed Ralph Politi Jr., 49, a businessman who served on the Hanover Park Regional High School Board of Education.
If found guilty on both charges, Brown could receive a sentence of as much as 40 years behind bars.
The defendant is accused of mowing down Politi as he stood outside of his business All Jersey Garage Door at 30 Ridgedale Ave. in East Hanover.
Brown told police that Politi had moved in front of her car, but former Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said video surveillance showed that a reportedly inebriated Brown moved from the right lane and veered left until smashing into Politi. Her car reportedly kept moving until it slammed into nearby parked cars.
The Daily Record reports that the aggravated manslaughter charge, if upheld, could give Brown up to 30 years in prison. The vehicular homicide charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years.
Brown also faces traffic violations driving whileintoxicated, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to stay in her lane, unsafe tires and driving an unregistered vehicle.
She is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $400,000 bail.
jazzman
4:20 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
SO so OVER CHARGED IT MAKES ME SICK,that black kid in the Jefferson murder only got 40 yrs for the hands on murder with a brutal attack of his friends mom and neighbor
Selene
5:34 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
I have to wonder why this women is facing 40 years in jail, when a young man from Parsippany killed two boys riding their bicycles with his car, killed TWO people while under the influence ....he got 12 years eligible for parole at 10 years. How does that make sense?
Selene
5:37 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
I'm waiting for the answer people, if you remember the story you'll know exactly WHY.
Small town girl
6:30 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
First of all, Ms. Brown is a 32 year old mother that should know better. Even before she started to drink she knew she shouldnt be driving her car that had unsafe tires and was unregistered.
"Ms. Brown was also found guilty of driving while intoxicated in January 2009 and was involved in two crashes in March 2011"
I'm sorry, she deserves what she gets. That could have been anyone that was killed. What if that was a child. This lady obviously has not learned her lesson from her first DUI, now they have to do the right thing to keep her off the streets.
When are people going to learn DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.. It's just that easy. Going out for a drink fine, but before you leave have a DD. If your home and have been drinking don't go out, and if you can't control yourself then don't drink.
JimmyCarterIsSmarter
9:58 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Ms. Brown, one of my best friends, is NOT a mother, get your facts straight...They are are going for 40 years cause the Ralph was "well known" in the community, played golf with the mayor, etc. Its all politics at this point. I am saddened to see Ralph pass as he left behind many friends and most importantly a loving family. As others stated, many others committed murder and got less of a sentence.
MARY TRACY
2:21 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
a comment for jimmycarterissmarter: YOU MUST BE HEARTLESS I WOULD NOT ADMIT IN PUBLIC SHE WAS YOUR FRIEND,SHE TOOK MY BROTHERS LIFE RIGHT FROM UNDER HIM AND LEFT IS WIFE,DAUGHTERS AND HIS PARENTS AND 8 SIBLINGS AND 21 NIECES AND NEPHEW CRUSHED OUR LIVES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME,SHE HAS NO REMOURSE,CONTINUES TO SAY SHE IS INNOCENT THERE IS NO PUNISHMENT THAT WILL BRING BACK MY BROTHER OF TAKE THE VISION OF HOW HE DIED AWAY SHE NEEDS TO SUFFER FOR EVER THE WAY WE ARE AND NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY!!I WOULD THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT ADMITTING YOU ARE A FRIEND- MARY
Par4theCourse
6:09 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Selene the answer is that kid was not charged with dui. The aggravated manslaughter charge, when applied in this case, is a result of this woman being dui. The kid in the previous case fled and dui could not be proven. Btw, what was Ms Brown's BAC? Anyone know?
Scott Dean
6:29 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
She is lucky she didnt kill any more innocent people!! Punishment fits the crime I always say.
Natalie Davis
11:29 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Par4, I put that question before the authorities (the very helpful prosecutor's office) twice and they didn't have an answer. I will ask again on Monday.
Selene
12:06 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
DUI for the kid who fled the scene of the crime was covered up by his mother. WE ALL KNOW he was intoxicated, but we can't prove it in a court of law. This is justice?
He killed TWO people and only got 10 years. Vanessa gets 40 years for ONE white male. Hmmmm two dead mexicans, one white male. Justice?
Cali
12:04 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Selene you are a racist pig. Always bringing race into it. This man was a descent man who spent his life helping people, how dare you. She had a lot of previous offenses and 40 years is not enough. She did murder someone.
Selene
11:55 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Cali, you poor thing, this is not about race it is about human life. How is one white male murder worth more in a court of law than 2 young mexican boys? WHO is the racist? You imply a white male's murder is worth 40 years in prison yet two young mexican boys lives are only worth 10 years in prison? Get it? Think before you rant, DA.
Par4theCourse
3:22 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Selene, whatever emotional tie you have to this case please refrain from bringing race into this conversation, first out of respect for the victim's family and secondly, for its inaccuracy. Look up the statutes on the internet or go to the library and you will see the charges in either case were via the laws on the books, absolutely nothing to do with race. A dui fatality can be upgraded to agg man, there was no dui in the bicycle fatalities (yes, you are probably correct in how it was not charged) but that resulted in manslaughter (vehicular homicide). Sadly, there is an epidemic of hit and runs as a result of the potential to be charged with agg man when dui but there needs to be a deterrent. Unfortunately, people are not rational when dui and only think of saving their own skin.
Selene
12:00 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Wow time to come to terms with reality! You think race is not an issue? Two dead kids??? What if they went to Par High and their parents were on the PTA and the boys played baseball and football for the town? Pull your head out of your southern most orifice. THINK before you say anything MORE stupid.
Sammi
11:19 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
To. Jazzman How can you say she being over charged she took a man life and took him for his kids and his wife, think about what if that was your husband or wife you not going to tell me you would not go after her for the same, what the hell wrong with you I hope the hang her on more charges and for the young boy who was charged for killing the two people on the bikes get your story straight with what he was charged with.And to drunk at that time of the day she needs to hang for what she did and this wasn't the first this happen plus accidents she had
Littleredridinghood
8:30 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sadly the majority of you are mistaken. Listening to the media or social buzz persay that transpires around town, will get you absolutely nowhere. She is not a mother, and yes he was well known around town. And people DUI does not necessarily mean alcohol. I happen to know both parties and most of what transpired that day, and sadly all of you who choose to cast stones, don't have a clue as to what really happened. And the reason you don't is this: in order for the prosecution to build a successful case, they need to keep this information quiet for the time being. This is a tragic event for all that are involved. Both parties and their families. But this menial speculation is moronic and absurd to say the least. Learn your facts people and then run your mouths. Until then, keep a lid on it.
Dara Winters
9:19 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I see plenty of people driving while talking on their cell phones, walking in and out of local resturants with bottles of wine in bags, drinking afterwork and getting in their vehicles to take that death ride home. Either to kill themselves or someone else. Over medicated, tired, looking at their computers...they are...you ( we are) are all guilty. Unless we are willing to make changes in ourselves and our own personal bad behavior...no laws or penalties will ever stop it. Hang up the phones, be aware, be safe, be respectful of others on the road. As of this moment, promise not to be the one who takes the life of another person, ruins your own life, a family and community...we can only do it ourselves.
Unknown
8:37 am on Saturday, September 29, 2012
And to you JimmyCarterisSmarter, you don't know what your talking about, Shame on you because he was NOT in Politics? and played golf with the Mayor? All Politics, NO WELL KNOWN AND WELL LIKEAD YES!!! Lets not forget she drunk out of her mind, and high on COCAINE, at 1:45 pm while Ralph was minding his own business. You must be proud to call her one of your "best friends!" Would you call her a best friend if she killed one of you family members? I was Honored and Privelaged to the know him!!
Girl code
3:11 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
She deserves everything she gets, drugs, alcohol, and previous offenses? Keep this low life off our streets, before she hurts someone else.