Trumbull Town Councilor Indicted on Vehicle Homicide Charge

Newly-elected Trumbull Town Councilor Robert McGowen resigned Monday after he was indicted on a vehicular homicide charge.

McGowen was involved in a car accident four years ago that killed Peter Tyliczka, 69, and injured others, according to NJ.com. He was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto.

Second-degree vehicular homicide in New Jersey could carry a five to 10 year prison sentence if someone is convicted, according to Rosenblum Law Firm.

First Selectman Tim Herbst asked for McGowen to resign and within an hour he received his resignation.

McGowen is a real estate agent in Stratford. Herbst first learned of the charges through Hearst Connecticut Media.

Herbst said he certainly wouldn’t have allowed McGowen on the Republican ticket if he knew of the pending legal situation.

The indictment charges McGowen with driving recklessly. It is unclear why it took about four years for an indictment in the case, according to NJ.com.

Tyliczka died on Oct. 1, 2011. He was a quality control officer for General Motors for 45 years when he retired, according to his obituary.