Feb. 21, 2018
Woman Enters Guilty Plea in Vehicle Homicide
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Nicole Hines, 31, of Newark pled guilty yesterday to death by auto and leaving the scene of the accident that resulted in the death of Rodney Stroughn, a 49-year-old bicyclist, also from Newark.
Hines also admitted operating a vehicle well over the posted speed limit of 25 mph on June 7, 2017, the date of the fatal crash.
In exchange for her guilty plea, the state recommended a five-year prison sentence of which she must serve 85 percent before she is eligible for parole, said Assistant Prosecutor Berta Rodriguez.
“With her guilty plea today the defendant is taking responsibility for the death of Mr. Stroughn whose life was ended far too soon,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Rodriguez.
Hines is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21 before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Criminal Judge.
Hines, driving with a suspended license, on Wednesday June 7, 2017 hit Stroughn on Rose Street in Newark causing fatal injuries. At the time, she was driving a rented black Chevrolet Trailblazer that was disabled in the collision. She and her two passengers abandoned the car on Littleton Avenue in Newark and fled.
Law enforcement linked Hines to the crime and obtained an arrest warrant. Efforts to execute the warrant were unsuccessful until she was arrested shoplifting at Short Hills Mall on July 12, 2017.
