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A tragic case of driving while under the influence is unfolding in Morris County, New Jersey where a whole family was killed July 10 and an Indian-American is sitting in jail for allegedly causing their death. The victims’ car blew up in flames after Bhavuk Uppal, 22, of Mountain Lakes, N.J. allegedly hit their vehicle causing it to hit the car in front. The names of the dead have not been released.
Prosecutors told Desi Talk Uppal, who was arrested July 10, for allegedly causing the death of a couple and their child in a chain reaction crash on New Jersey’s Route 80 in Morris County, could be in jail for 50 years if convicted on the 2nd degree multiple count charges.
The Indian-American has been charged with three counts of death by auto, two counts of assault by auto, causing death or injury, and possession of drug paraphernalia as well as driving while intoxicated. Deputy Prosecutor Denise Arseneault told Desi Talk however that they were still awaiting results from the blood alcohol levels tests.
Uppal was driving with a suspended license, and Arseneault said that Chief Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Troiano revealed during the bail hearing that Uppal “has an extensive criminal history and driver’s license abstract.” Troiano also said that charges against Uppal will probably be upgraded to first degree counts, but that has not yet happened. No timeframe was specified for doing that, Arseneault said. As for the current counts, Troiano said at the bail hearing that “if the charges are to remain at 2nd degree jail could be 50 years. If upgraded, it could be life,” Arseneault said.
Morristown Superior Court Judge William McGovern upped Uppal’s bail from the initial $300,000 with no 10 percent option to $750,000 with no 10 percent option. He is currently in the Morristown County Correctional Facility, where according to a spokesperson he will remain for at least the next couple of years. “He remains here until he’s sentenced… for a couple of years,” a spokesperson from the county jail who did not wish to be identified, told Desi Talk.
Arseneault said the next hearing was set for Aug. 11 before Morris County Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor. While next steps in an ongoing investigation could not be divulged she noted all measures are taken to perform a thorough investigation.
The post Accused in Car Crash Deaths May Be In For 50 Years to Life appeared first on News India Times.
