NJ Man Ran Stop Sign In Crash That Killed Principal: Police

WINSLOW, NJ — A New Jersey man was arrested this week in connection with a 2021 car crash during which police say he ran a stop sign, hitting an SUV driven by a Pennsylvania high school principal and killing him, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

Azuka Ossai, 54, of Pine Hill, was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree vehicular homicide in connection with the death of 51-year-old Sean Hughes of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, according to Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay and Winslow Township Police Chief George Smith. Ossai was also charged with fourth-degree assault by auto.

On Nov. 3 just before 7:30 a.m., officers responded to a car crash at the intersection of Fleming Pike and Hays Road in Winslow Township.

Hughes, who was operating a Ford SUV, was seriously injured in the crash and died approximately three hours later, officials said. A child victim — a passenger in the Ford SUV — also was seriously injured in the crash.

According to authorities, Ossai, who was driving the Mercedes SUV, drove through a stop sign without stopping and crashed into the Ford SUV. Authorities said Ossai was also traveling above the posted speed limit.

Ossai was arrested and charged the same day, authorities said. He was released pending a court appearance.