South River man pleads guilty in teen’s hit-and-run death
A South River man has pleaded guilty in the hit-and-run death of a 14-year-old boy riding his bicycle in the borough last summer.
Michael Arena, 63, pleaded guilty Tuesday to vehicular homicide, a second-degree crime, before New Brunswick Superior Court Judge Sheree Pitchford, according to court officials.
Arena also pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, a second-degree crime, and a motor vehicle ticket for leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Under the plea deal, Arena faces up to 15 years in state prison, five years for vehicular homicide and 10 years for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, which would run consecutively. The five-year sentence also would be subject to the No Early Release Act which means he would have to serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole, according to the prosecutor's office.
He also would be required to surrender his license for one year upon release from prison and pay a $2,500 fine.
The state was represented in the case by Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams.
Arena's sentencing has been scheduled for February.
Arena was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury in September on charges of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, as well as tampering with evidence and obstruction the administration of the law, both fourth-degree crimes.
Around 4:21 p.m. July 7, Bryan Barbosa was riding his bicycle near the intersection of Whitehead and Russell avenues, apparently heading to a friend's house, when he was struck by a white work van that fled the scene, according to the prosecutor's office.
Barbosa was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation identified Arena as the driver, and he was arrested at his South River home later that day. His white work van, suspected in Barbosa's death, was found parked in the driveway. Police said he admitted to driving the van at the time of the crash. The crash was captured on a neighbor's video security camera.
Barbosa's death shook the small town. Hundreds gathered near the crash site and walked to Denny Stadium for a candlelight vigil honoring the teen, a native of Brazil who learned to speak English while in second grade in South River. A memorial for Barbosa was created near the crash site.
Barbosa was described as a good teen, student, athlete and friend who always had a smile. He was known for riding his bicycle around the 2.9-square-mile borough.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South River NJ man pleads guilty in teen’s hit-and-run death
