Howell Resident Indicted on Charges From Crash That Killed Freehold Man

A Howell resident was indicted on several charges stemming from a fatal accident in the township back in June.

Jacob Cannizzaro, 21, was indicted on charges of second degree vehicular homicide and third degree assault by auto for his role in a crash that killed one passenger and injured another. Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced that Cannizzaro also faces charges including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to keep right, improper passing, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Following a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Howell Township Police Department it was determined that Cannizzaro was intoxicated while behind the wheel of his 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt as he drove on Fort Plains Road on June 14. Cannizzaro’s car went off the road striking a tree at around 11:30 that night. The impact killed 22-year-old Freehold resident Mark Chilton who was sitting in the back seat at that time. Cannizzaro’s front seat passenger, 21-year-old Howell resident Angelo Capasso was injured as a result of the crash.

If convicted of Vehicular Homicide Cannizzaro faces between five and 10 years in state prison subject to the No Early Release Act meaning he would have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole. He would also be under parole supervision for three years following his release. The assault by auto charge carries a sentence of between three and five years in prison.

Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor is handling the prosecution of the case while Cannizzaro is represented by Michael Grasso of Freehold.