ATLANTIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

4997 Unami Boulevard, Mays Landing, NJ 08330

James P. McClain
Acting Prosecutor

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release Feb. 20, 2013 2 Page (s) For further information contact: Haleigh Walz (609)-909-7881

MAYS LANDING A Galloway man has been indicted for leaving the scene of a fatal accident that claimed the life of an Atlantic City man last summer, acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced. Yesterday afternoon, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Leo Strazzeri, 42, for second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with a hit-and-run that left 45-year-old Daniel Tavarez dead. On the evening of July 9, 2012, a vehicle driven by Strazzeri struck and killed Tavarez, who was crossing the crosswalk at the intersection of Route 30 and Pennsylvania Avenue in a motorized wheelchair. After striking the victim, Strazzeri fled the scene of the accident. The Atlantic City Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Fatal Collisions Unit responded to the scene. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later certified the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. Police subsequently located the vehicle Strazzeri was driving unoccupied in Atlantic City. Strazzeri was issued multiple Title 39 summons (motor vehicle violations) including; leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, careless driving, failure to exhibit a drivers license, failure to exhibit registration, uninsured motorist and reckless driving. Following an investigation conducted by the Prosecutors Office Fatal Collisions Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department Accident Bureau, acting Prosecutor McClain authorized criminally charging Strazzeri with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Atlantic County Prosecutors Office P.O. Box 2002 4997 Unami Boulevard, Suite 2 Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Phone: (609)-909-7800 Fax: (609)-909-7802

On July 19, 2012, Strazzeri was taken into custody and lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $50,000 bail. Second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident carries a five to 10 year New Jersey State Prison sentence and up to $150,000 in fines. ***The indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, an indicted defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutors Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

Atlantic County Prosecutors Office P.O. Box 2002 4997 Unami Boulevard, Suite 2 Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Phone: (609)-909-7800 Fax: (609)-909-7802