Driver facing additional charges after NJ State Police pursuit ended in deadly crash in Warren County
HOPE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) — A Pennsylvania man is facing additional charges after a NJ State Police pursuit ended in a deadly crash in Warren County last month.
Sean Mamakas, 32, of Kempton, PA now faces charges of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Aug. 21, a search warrant was executed on the vehicle being driven by Mamakas on Aug. 13, officials said
The search of the motor vehicle yielded suspected methamphetamine and plastic bags consistent with those utilized to package controlled dangerous substances, authorities said.
On Aug. 13, at around 10:19 a.m., New Jersey State Trooper Christopher Bird began following a sport utility vehicle, driven by Mamakas, on Interstate 80 eastbound in the area of milepost 11 to initiate a motor vehicle stop, according to the prosecutor’s office.
After Bird activated his lights and sirens, the SUV continued traveling eastbound, exited the interstate at Exit 12 and traveled onto County Road 521 southbound in Hope Township, officials said.
Then at around 10:20 a.m., after passing another vehicle on Route 521 southbound, the SUV collided with the rear of a motorcycle, operated by Michael Ceddia of Hackettstown, that was also traveling southbound in the vicinity of Dogwood Road, authorities said.
The impact resulted in Ceddia being ejected, and resulted in the driver of the SUV losing control of his vehicle. The SUV left the roadway and came to final rest in a wooded area, the prosecutor’s office said.
Medical aid was administered to Ceddia, who died from his injuries at the scene, officials said.
Michael, 76, was a lifelong native of Hackettstown, a Harley Davidson enthusiast, and a rock gardener extraordinaire. Michael was a beloved grandfather, father, uncle, brother, and friend, according to his obituary
Upon graduating from Hackettstown High School, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a BM3 during the Vietnam War from 1969-1972. Michael was a member of the VFW post 7859 in Independence, the Hackettstown Legion, and the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, his obituary said.
Mamakas was arrested on scene and then transported to Hackettstown Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries, authorities said.
Mamakas was charged on Aug. 13 with two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree eluding, second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree vehicular homicide. He was then lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center pending a court appearance.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the SUV driver’s role in the incident. The Attorney General’s Office is also investigating the crash.
A 2019 law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
