Manuel Gutierrez Vazquez, 27, of Camden, now faces two counts of death by auto in the fatal crash that took the life of a Trenton father and daughter.
HAMILTON - The allegedly drunken driver who caused a head-on collision that killed Trenton father Jorge DeLeon Sunday morning faces new charges after the death of DeLeon's 4-year-old daughter Monday, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said today.
Manuel Gutierrez Vazquez, 27, of Camden, was charged this afternoon with a second count of death by auto, an upgrade from the assault by auto charges he had faced when Jasmine DeLeon was still alive. Jasmine was declared brain-dead on Monday and taken off life support after her organs were donated.
Vazquez had already faced a death by auto charge in the killing of DeLeon, and assault by auto charges remain for the injuries sustained to DeLeon's 7-year-old son, the prosecutor's office said.
Vazquez was driving on Route 29 in Hamilton early Sunday, heading south in the northbound lanes, when he collided with the car DeLeon was driving. Prosecutors say Vazquez was drunk behind the wheel.
Bail for Vazquez has been upped to a total of $400,000 as a result of the new charges, up $150,000 from where it was set Sunday.
Even if Vazquez is able to make his bail, he will not be released from custody due to an immigration detainer. Vazquez, who never held a driver's license in the U.S., was in the country illegally, authorities said.
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