MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, and Public Safety Director Daniel DeGroot of the Dover Police Department announce the sentencing of Santos Javier Archaga-Mendoza, 37, Dover. The sentence stems from a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of September 24, 2017 in Dover.
Archaga-Mendoza was sentenced on Friday, July 5, by the Hon. Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C. to an aggregate term of ten years New Jersey State Prison for multiple offenses. This sentence is subject to the parole ineligibility provisions of the No Early Release Act.
On May 1, Archaga-Mendoza entered guilty pleas to two counts of second degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide and one count of fourth degree Assault by Auto before Judge Hanna. Archaga-Mendoza also entered a guilty plea to the motor vehicle offense of Driving Under the Influence.
The charges arise from a single vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 46 in Dover on September 24, 2017. The investigation revealed that Archaga-Mendoza, the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash, was operating a vehicle with four additional passengers. Two of these passengers, who were Archaga-Mendoza’s brothers, died as a result of the crash and a third man sustained bodily injury. Further investigation demonstrated that Archaga-Mendoza was speeding and intoxicated at the time of the crash. Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn represented the State during the proceeding.
Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges the members of the Dover Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Unit who contributed to the successful prosecution of the Defendant.
