NJ.com – October 07, 2014
by Tom Haydon
ELIZABETH — A 25-year-old city man pleaded guilty today to a charge stemming from drunk-driving accident nearly a year ago in which a New York City firefighter was killed. Anthony Marsal appeared before Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim and pleaded guilty to a single count of death by auto for the Oct. 11, 2013 accident in Union Township that took the life of John Monteverde, 57 of Queens, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said.
Toxicology tests revealed that Marsal’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit shortly after he was arrested, and that he had ingested cocaine in the hours leading to the crash, authorities said.
As part of a plea agreement, the prosecutor’s office will recommend that Marsal, who has no prior criminal history, receive a 5-year prison term when he is sentenced later this year, Park said.
Monteverde, a 31-year veteran of the FDNY, was driving to work from his Pennsylvania vacation home when his motorcycle was struck by Marsal’s 1996 Honda Accord, the prosecutor said.
Authorities determined Marsal made a left turn from Vivian Terrace onto North Avenue and cut off Monteverde’s 2004 Suzuski motorcycle.
Monteverde, who was wearing a bright reflective vest at the time of the crash, was thrown from his motorcycle and died of multiple internal and external injuries, Park said. She said Monteverde was driving to his firehouse in Staten Island at the time of the collision.
Marsal will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, and after he is released, will be on parole for three years, and his driver’s license will be suspended for five years, according to the prosecutor’s office.
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