Man Sentenced to 13 years for Causing Death of Two

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that James Sterling, 30, also known as James Megget, of Elizabeth was sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, presiding Essex County Criminal Court Judge, for causing the death of two people in a car crash.

On Nov. 19, 2012, while driving a Chrysler Pacifica SUV, Sterling hit an ambulance, setting off a multi-vehicle crash on South Orange Avenue and South 9^th Street in Newark. A food truck and county transportation bus were involved in the crash. Two people, traveling in the ambulance, were killed.

Montclair resident Keith Chipepo, 30, who was employed by the private ambulance company, was killed that day. Martha Conley, 58, of Newark, who was a patient in the ambulance, died from her injuries on Nov. 28, 2012.

On July 18 of this year, Sterling entered a guilty plea yesterday to two counts of aggravated manslaughter

Sterling was originally indicted on two counts of aggravated manslaughter, eluding, aggravated assault, vehicle homicide, driving with a suspended license and causing death while driving with a suspended license. He pled guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter.

Sterling has six prior felony convictions for aggravated assault, robbery, conspiracy, possession of narcotics and weapons offenses.

The case was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Jason Hollingsworth.

“This is a very serious case and hopefully the resolution of this matter will bring some measure of solace to the families,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Hollingsworth.

On Nov. 19, 2012, while driving a Chrysler Pacifica SUV, Sterling hit an ambulance, setting off a multi-vehicle crash on South Orange Avenue and South 9^th Street in Newark. A food truck and county transportation bus were involved in the crash. Two people, traveling in the ambulance, were killed.

Montclair resident Keith Chipepo, 30, who was employed by the private ambulance company, was killed in the crash on Nov. 19, 2012, Martha Conley, 58, of Newark, who was a patient in the ambulance, died from her injuries on Nov. 28, 2012.

Sterling was originally charged with eluding, aggravated assault, driving with a suspended license and causing death and bodily injury.

Appearing before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Criminal Court Judge in Essex County, yesterday he pled guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter. Under the terms of the plea agreement he is expected to be sentenced to 13 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Sterling must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16 before Judge Wigler.

The case was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Jason Hollingsworth.

“This was a terrible crash that resulted in the death of two innocent people,’’ said Hollingsworth.